Court of Quebec orders a judicial recount in riding Parti Québécois lost narrowly

MONTREAL - The Court of Quebec has granted the Parti Québécois' request for a judicial recount in the Champlain riding, where their candidate René Branchaud narrowly lost to the Conservative candidate Adriana Szalontai by 191 votes. The PQ argued there were irregularities in the vote count, but Judge Éric Martel dismissed several of their concerns, emphasizing that only a recount could clarify the situation.

The PQ cited discrepancies between the tally sheets and the actual number of ballots cast, while the Conservatives attributed these discrepancies to a mistake in recording unused ballots. The recount will commence at the Trois-Rivières courthouse on Thursday. Additionally, the PQ secured a recount in the Vachon riding, located in the Montérégie region, where their candidate lost by ten votes.