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A woman walks past a sign directing people to a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
By The Canadian Press

Elections BC to begin final vote count with race still close in some ridings

Nov 5, 2026 | 10:34 AM

Elections BC says it will begin the final count for last month’s provincial election on Friday, with about 150,000 mail-in ballots being tallied after the vote that was convincingly won by the B.C. Conservatives.

The count is taking place while four ridings have margins of fewer than 200 votes separating the top candidates.

Elections BC also says a separate recount will take place in two of those ridings because the margin is less than 100 — Burnaby-South Metrotown where the NDP candidate leads by 66 votes, and Ladysmith-Oceanside, where the NDP lead is 13.

The B.C. Conservatives meanwhile lead by 151 votes in Cowichan Valley and 132 votes in Kelowna Centre.

Elections BC says the final count starting Friday will including mail-in votes, assisted phone voting and absentee ballots.

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It says final results will be posted no later than next Tuesday.

The B.C. Conservatives won a large majority in the Oct. 24 election, taking roughly two-thirds of the 93 seats.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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