The final outcome of Florida's vote which will determine the next US president is not expected Thursday even if all 67 counties report their recount data within hours, the state's top electoral official said.
Florida officials had said earlier a final call might come late Thursday after recount results were received by fax from across the southeastern state.
But asked if the final outcome could be decided and announced later Thursday, Clay Roberts, Florida's Department of Elections chief, told reporters, "maybe we'll have all the numbers (from the counties), but not finished in terms of certification (of the results). Plus, you have the 10 days," he added, referring to the lapse after November 7 allowed to tally certain absentee votes.
Roberts said he expected all the counties to report on their recount on schedule by late Thursday, but did not set any deadlines.
"There's not a problem, but sometimes it takes longer to do these things," he said.
"As I said before, it's more important to be accurate and thorough" than fast, he added -- TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AFP)
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