NDP Leader Alison Coffin files for recount in her former district

NDP Leader Alison Coffin has filed for a vote recount in her former district,according to a tweet from Coffin's account Thursday afternoon.

"I was at the courthouse today to file papers for an official recount of the results for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi," reads the tweet.

Coffin, who lost her seat to Liberal John Abbott by 53 votes on Saturday, had foreshadowed the legal challenge in her post-election speech over the weekend.

"There are already speculations about court challenges waiting on the steps of the Supreme Court," she said then.

The party has previously expressed concern over the election's handling. In a letter sent to Elections NL head Bruce Chaulk on March 12,NDPpresident Kyle Rees wrote,"There are an unprecedented number of ballots deemed spoiled so far."

Elections NL denies that claim, but total turnout was the lowest in provincial history.

Across Newfoundland and Labrador, 48 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 10-weekelection, which saw a bumpy last-minuteshift to mail-in voting.

Coffin was one of two opposition leaders to lose a seat. Former PC leader Ches Crosbiestepped down as head of the party Wednesday, after losing his Windsor Lake seat to Liberal John Hogan.

CBC News has requested an interview with Coffin's campaign office and the party.

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