No change in the Waterside as Alliance fail to overturn result

There is no change in representation in the Waterside DEA, Derry News understands.

Cllr Martin Reilly has retained his seat by 10 votes following this morning's resumed recount in the Foyle Arena.

There will, however, be no official confirmation until the next sitting of Election Court on August 17, 2023, when a report will be provided by the Deputy Returning Officer.

The result of May's local government election out come in the Waterside DEA had been thrown into doubt as a result of to a successful legal challenge from the  Alliance party. 

Cllr Reilly pipped Alliance candidate Philip McKinney to the final seat in the Waterside DEA. 

Following the declared result, it emerged approximately 150 votes, which may have changed the outcome in the DEA, were not redistributed before the elimination of Philip McKinney, who lost his seat by fewer than 50.

Derry Now understands the error was noticed by a person in London, scanning through the local government results in Derry and Strabane. They subsequently contacted the candidates in the Waterside DEA to flag up their concerns.

Today's recount followed an initial hearing of the election court which took place on Monday (August 7).

The court directed that the sealed ballot papers should be opened and the count continue from stage 7 until conclusion.

Waterside DEA election result in doubt

Alliance Party challenging Waterside result in local government elections in High Court

In addition to representatives of the impacted candidates, and in the interests of transparency, it was  agreed that two people from other original candidates, Cllrs Cooke, Deeney, Guy, Jackson, McMorris and Mooney, and candidates Pulis and Montgomery (the councillor/candidate plus one counting agent) could enter the count room if they wished.

Councillors/Candidates or their representatives were asked to contact the Assistant Deputy Returning Officer, Conor Canning, by 5pm, Tuesday 7th. August, 2023, giving names of the persons who will enter the count room.

These did not need to be the same individuals as nominated for the original count.

If a request for additional attendance is made it may be facilitated subject to the agreement of the Deputy Returning Officer, John Kelpie.