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The NDP took another seat from the Saskatchewan Party as the vote count in outstanding ridings continued Thursday.
In a rematch from the 2016 election, the NDP’s Aleana Young was trailing Sask. Party cabinet minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor after votes were counted Monday in the Regina University riding.
But in an update from Elections Saskatchewan on Thursday, Young had moved ahead by 226 votes. After counting 1,370 mail-in ballots, the tally in that riding had Young with 3,255 votes and Beaudry-Mellor with 3,029.
However, there are potentially 444 mail-in ballots in that riding still to come, which will form part of the final count on Nov. 7. On a post on social media, Beaudry-Mellor conceded the seat.
After Thursday’s count, Muhammad Fiaz of the Sask. Party had stretched his lead over the NDP’s Bhajan Brar in Regina Pasqua. There are still 803 mail-in ballots to count and Fiaz has a 386-vote lead.
As of now, the result in the election has the Sask. Party with 48 seats and the NDP with 13.
On Wednesday, NDP Leader Ryan Meili — who ended election night trailing his rival by 83 votes — declared victory for himself and two other NDP candidates.
After mail-in ballots, Meili had 3,380 votes to 3,171 for the Sask. Party’s Rylund Hunter.
In Saskatoon Eastview, the NDP’s Matt Love had 3,697 votes to 3,427 for the Sask. Party’s Chris Guerette.
And in Saskatoon University, Jennifer Bowes of the NDP ended the recount with 2,946 votes, with the Sask. Party’s Eric Olauson at 2,593.
Earlier Wednesday, Sask. Party wins were confirmed in the Regina Coronation Park and Prince Albert Northcote constituencies.
However, the mail-in ballot count was not without controversy as Meili released results given to him by his party representatives overseeing the process. Those representatives sign an oath not to reveal results.
“This morning I met with Chief Official Agents from registered political parties that have been in attendance,” Dr. Michael Boda, the province’s chief electoral officer, said in a statement.
“They were reminded of the importance of political party representatives observing the count so as to reinforce the integrity of the counting process, but also that results are not to be shared until they are distributed publicly via the Elections Saskatchewan results website.
“The maintenance of trust in Saskatchewan’s electoral processes by voters, political parties and candidates is Elections Saskatchewan’s highest priority.”
There are hundreds of mail-in ballots across the province still to come in, so all of the results will only be official following the final count. That begins Nov. 7.
Until then, Elections Saskatchewan says it will provide updated information on its results website as it becomes available.
