Doug Ford was declared the winner, but Christine Elliott is challenging the result.After a dramatic day where a behind-the-scenes battle over the ballots — one that led to Ford being named the new leader of the Ontario PC Party some seven hours later than scheduled — Elliott refused to concede and then sent out a statement alleging “serious irregularities with respect to this leadership race.”Elliott says there are less than 150 points separating her and Ford of the possible 12,000 in play, and alleges that “thousands of members have been assigned to incorrect ridings.”Read more:Opinion | Cohn: After a wild PC leadership race, don’t rule out Premier FordHow the Tories pick their leadersDoug Ford wins Ontario PC leadership after chaotic party raceThat matters under the complex system for Tories to select a new leader, which involves preferential ballots and a system of points — with the percentage of votes a candidate earns in each riding translating into electoral points.“Our scrutineers identified entire towns voting in the wrong riding. In a race this close, largely determined by geography, someone needs to stand up for these members,” Elliott’s statement said.“I will stand up for these members and plan to investigate the extent of this discrepancy.”It is unclear if she plans a court challenge, and an update from her campaign was expected Sunday. Her campaign continued to meet with lawyers Sunday afternoon.Elliott’s challenge came after news that Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives had elected Ford as their new leader, less than three months before the provincial election.On Sunday afternoon, the party issued a statement confirming Ford as leader, saying “these results are definitive and provide a clear mandate” to him.Former premier Mike Harris also implored Elliott to concede defeat, telling the Star on Sunday that “it’s time for everyone to put ...
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