Yukon election recounts could be a week away

Recounts are expected in at least two Yukon ridingsafter Monday's territorial election, but the results could be a week away.

Under Yukon election law, if a candidate wins by 10 or fewer votes, the riding's returning officer must apply to the Yukon Supreme Court for a recount. That request can only be made afterElections Yukon'svote counts are finalized on Thursday (the "official addition").

Unofficial voting results show that recounts will likely happen in Mountainview, where Liberal Jeanie Dendys finished ahead of the NDP's Shaunagh Stikeman by six votes, 439 to 433. Yukon Party leader Darrell Pasloskifinished third in the riding, 40 votes behind Dendys.

Another recount is expected in the Vuntut Gwitchin riding, where Liberal Pauline Frost ousted the Yukon Party's incumbent MLADarius Elias by seven votes, 77 to 70.

Once the request goes to the Supreme Court, a recount must be done within four days although Yukon'sassistant chief electoral officer Dave Wilkie says the Remembrance Day holiday "might adjust it somewhat."

"The court decides when the recount would take place, and the court also decides whether the judge himself or herself counts the ballots, or whether they have someone assist them," Wilkie said.

Other candidates can also apply for a recount in their riding, if they believe a mistake has been made in counting the ballots or recording the results. They must do so within six days of the official addition on Thursday.

After Mountainview and VuntutGwitchin, the ridings that had the smallest margins of victory were Whitehorse West, where Liberal Richard Mostyn unseated longtime Yukon Party cabinet minister Elaine Taylor by 22 votes (455 to 433), and Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes, where Liberal John Streickerousted the NDP'sKevin Barr by 14 votes (451 to 437).