Defeated candidate calls for Island-wide recount

Onchan's recount saw two candidates gain a combined 180 votes

A man who stood in this year's general election has called for an Island wide recount of all ballots. 

Simon Williams came third in Rushen by 79 votes as Michael Crowe and Mark Kemp were elected. 

Earlier this week a recount for Onchan's election saw Rob Callister pick up 81 votes, while former MHK Peter Karran gained 100. 

Posting on his Facebook page, Mr Williams praised the 'very brave Julie Edge taking the government to task over the voting within her constituency'.

He said the outcome of Onchan's recount 'is really bringing the whole general election under scrutiny'.

He added: "I’m also not posting this to change the current standing of any MHK but I believe it’s important for you the electorate to know your vote was correctly noted and counted."

Pointing to a Facebook post made by Mr Kemp before the election about alleged issues with postal ballots, Mr Williams said: "I believe Mr Kemp himself will agree with me that there should be a recount in Rushen."

There are four constituencies where a swing as seen in the Onchan recount could have resulted in other people being elected. 

They are Douglas East, Garff, Glenfaba and Peel and Rushen. 

Mr Williams' post has since been shared by fellow defeated candidate Dr Michelle Haywood. 

She said: "Following on from the Onchan recount, I think public trust in the elections has been damaged. The best way for the government to rebuild that trust would be to recount all the constituencies, and demonstrate that the results posted on the night (when constituencies were in a race to post and counting was taking place after a long day in the polling stations) were in fact accurate.