Ensemble Montral gets recount in Cte-des-NeigesNtre-Dame-de-Grce

The city of Montreal's top opposition party is seeking recounts in two boroughs following this month's municipal elections, including the borough mayor race in Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce.

Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, of Projet Montral, won that race, defeating Lionel Perez, a longtime city councillor with Ensemble Montral,by 212 votes, according to Elections Montreal.

Ensemble Montralis also seeking a recount intheLoyola district, the borough mayor race in theRivire-des-PrairiesPointe-aux-Trembles, as well as in that borough's Pointe-aux-Prairies district.

In a statement, Ensemble Montralsaid it had "reasonable grounds" to believe mistakes were made while tallying votes.

On Wednesday, the Court of Quebec approved the recount requests. The process of going through the ballots will begin next Monday.

InRivire-des-PrairiesPointe-aux-Trembles, Caroline Bourgeois held onto her seat as borough mayor, with a majority of 303 votes.

The margins in Pointe-Aux-Prairies and Loyola were narrower.Projet Montral's Lisa Christensen and Despina Sourias won by 13 and 97 votes, respectively.

In the borough mayor race for Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce, Perez was leading in the hours following the closing of the pollsbut by the next morning Kasoki Katahwahad eked out a slim, comeback victory.

If her victory stands, she would become the first Black woman in Montreal's history to serve as borough mayor.