Elections BC says election-day ballots will be counted by hand; scope unclear

Ballots cast on election day in British Columbia will be counted by hand, according to a Global News BC item that attributes the statement to Elections BC.

It is the last full day of campaigning in the provincial election. Final voting day is Saturday.

Scope of the hand count is unclear

The Global News BC item is brief, and it is not fully consistent with itself. Its headline says ballots cast on election day will be counted by hand. Its summary line says "most" ballots will be counted that way on final voting day. The summary line is not attributed to Elections BC.

The item does not explain whether the difference reflects an exception, such as some ballots being handled another way, or is only a matter of wording. NORTHLINE has not independently confirmed with Elections BC which description is accurate.

What isn't known yet

The material reviewed for this story did not say how the hand count will work or why Elections BC is taking this approach. It also did not say which ballots, if any, would be excluded.

What to know

• Final voting day in B.C.'s election is Saturday.
• Global News BC reports that Elections BC says election-day ballots will be counted by hand.
• Whether that applies to every ballot or only most has not been confirmed.

This story will be updated when Elections BC provides further detail.