After filing a petition with the district court for a recount of the special votes across Christchurch, Chandler represented himself in front of Judge Kevin D Kelly at a hearing on Friday (December 9).
Christchurch City Council electoral officer Jo Daly appeared in opposition and had counsel speaking on her behalf.
The judge reserved his decision until Monday (December 12) and released it this afternoon.
In the October elections, Chandler lost his bid for the Riccarton Ward seat on the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board by two votes to Gamal Fouda.
After the narrow loss, Chandler filed for a vote recount in November. Meanwhile, unsuccessful Innes Ward city council candidate Ali Jones also filed for a recount.
While Chandler's application was denied by Judge Kelly, Jones' was approved. Jones lost her recount, but the gap closed from 16 to eight votes.
Jones' application mentioned the closeness of the election and raised concerns about the collation and counting of the special votes, specifically at the Beckenham Service Centre.
Staff had been told they did not need to sign the forms for the votes or witness the voting, contrary to instructions on the form for casting a special vote.
At the time, Daly acknowledged she did instruct them in that way and admitted her instructions were inconsistent but only at that centre.
In light of this, Chandler then filed his petition for a recount of special votes across Christchurch to ensure the official declaration of election results was correct.
Said Chandler today: "While I'm disappointed with the result, I will accept the results and move on.
"I will work to serve my community on a range of matters, including the Church Corner Residents' Association, who are working diligently on intensification issues."
He encouraged community groups looking for assistance to contact him.
