In an election marked by low voter turnout and tight margins between several candidates, Jeromy Farkas ended up winning Calgary's mayoral race with only about one out of every 10 eligible voters checking his name on the ballot.

For some, it will trigger the question — what exactly does that say about the mandate of the city's new mayor?

A political mandate refers to the sense of legitimacy an elected leader wields, based on the number of votes they receive.

The larger the vote share, the larger the mandate that leader might be seen to have. They will then implement their policies with what can be assumed is the broad support of the electorate.

Vote breakdown

Farkas beat his closest rival, Sonya Sharp, by 616 votes following Monday's recount, according to the city.

Calgary recount con

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