After counting all the votes on Sunday, Igor Marentič was ahead of incumbent Jernej Verbič by five votes. It became clear that the votes cast by mail would make all the difference.

Today at 14:00, six of the ballots that arrived by noon were counted by the municipal election commission. Verbič received five votes, while Marentič received one. This means that Marentič garnered 3,319 votes against Verbič's 3,318. Marentič has already declared victory.

Due to the close result of the election, a full recount can be requested. It is up to the municipal election commission to decide whether it will grant a recount. The deadline for filing a recount request is midnight today.

"We need to dispel any suspicion"
Verbič's campaign team said that they have not yet made up their mind whether to file for a recount, but they added that they would decide on the matter shortly.

"Our campaign team is still looking into the matter, but we will let everyone know what is going to happen as soon as we reach a decision," incumbent deputy mayor Boštjan Stegel said when asked whether they would challenge the result, adding, "I think the election committees and commissions did a decent job. However, if there is suspicion of fraud, the matter needs to be investigated. But if there is no suspicion of fraud, the issue needs to be wrapped up as quickly as possible."

Tanja Kozorog Blatnik, MMC;
translated by D.V.