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National Rep. Matt King has called for a “judicial recount” after Northland lost in special votes.
Matt King. Source: Facebook / Matt King
King had been ahead of Willow-Jean Prime by 742 votes after election night.
However, when the special votes came this afternoon, King ended up losing the seat to Prime by 163 votes.
King issued a statement on his Facebook page asking for a recount shortly after the official result came out.
“The election commission published today that after the special votes were counted, I have lost Northland’s seat by 163 votes. This is after leading by 742 votes on election night,” King wrote.
“I congratulate Willow Jean Prime on a close race, but this race is still too close to call it.”
“Northland deserves that every vote be scrutinized to make sure that, however close the result, is an accurate account.”
“Therefore, I will request a judicial recount.
“With a result so close, it’s only fair that we double-check the results for the people of Northland.”
It comes as National’s 2020 election horror show has gone from bad to worse, losing two more MPs after the special votes were counted.
Labor candidates from three electorates who lost on the night have claimed victory over their national rivals following a special vote count.
At Maungakiekie Labor, Priyanca Radhakrishnan won by a 635 majority over National’s Denise Lee.
In Northland, Willow-Jean Prime defeated Matt King by a majority of 163 votes, while in Whangārei, Emily Henderson defeated Shane Reti with a majority of 431 votes.
