Bev Butler
Bev Butler's application for a recount after her defeat
in the Dunedin City Council election has been granted, and she
has until next Tuesday to decide whether she wants to proceed.
Ms Butler confirmed on
Tuesday she had applied for a full recount of the election
results, citing the close vote - she was just 43 votes adrift
of Cr Colin Weatherall, the last councillor councillor to
make the cut - and similarity of names on the voting paper as
reasons to check almost 34,000 voting papers.
Dunedin District Court Judge Stephen Coyle's ruling was
released late yesterday afternoon.
The ruling noted Ms Butler had asked for an assurance there
would be no costs over the deposit of $750 she had paid.
"That request is inappropriate," he said, as costs could not
be awarded until the conclusion of proceedings.
Given costs were evidently an issue, "Mrs Butler should be
given time to reflect as to whether she wishes to proceed or
not with the judicial recount."
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