Monday's final counting appears to have confirmed the results from election night in the Maple Ridge East riding – that Conservative candidate Lawrence Mok unseated NDP incumbent MLA Bob D'Eith in a close race.
Although Elections BC had yet to post final results as of 3:00 p.m., there were not enough outstanding votes for D'Eith to make up the 102 votes he was trailing to catch Mok. The Conservative had led by 327 votes after election night.
"I want to thank the voters of Maple Ridge East for their great support," said Mok. "I also want everyone in my riding of Maple Ridge East to know that I am here to work for you.
"Both provincially and in Maple Ridge East it has been a close election race. What is not in doubt, is my commitment to be the best MLA I can possibly be for my constituents."
Mok was leading with 12,051 votes to 11,949 for D'Eith. Running a distant third was Kylee Williams of the BC Green Party with 1,623 votes.
Still in doubt on Monday afternoon was whether the NDP could get the 47 seats needed to form a majority government. The party was elected in 45 ridings, and leading in two more. The Surrey-Guildford riding was a virtual deadlock between the Conservatives and NDP.
D'Eith conceded that Mok had won the election.
"With every vote now counted, I'd like to congratulate my opponent, Lawrence Mok, on his victory," said D'Eith. "This was a very close race, and it highlighted the extent to which every vote does truly matter."
D'Eith also thanked the staff at Elections BC for "exemplary work" in tallying the vote, and also his campaign team.
"This wasn't the result we wanted, but I know that every single one of you gave your all," said D'Eith to his party workers.
"It was the honour of my life to serve the people of Maple Ridge and Mission over the past two terms of government. We achieved a great deal together and I know that the future is bright for our communities."
