(Camrose) Anticipation vote in the context of the historic by -election in the federal district of Battle River – Crowfoot, in Alberta, begins on Friday.
For the first time, Elections Canada indicates that voters will have to fill a virgin ballot.
The agency lists a record number of 214 candidates in this rural district, where the ballot will take place on August 18.
The majority of them are part of the “longest ballot committee”, a protest group that claims various changes to the Canadian electoral system.
Prime Minister Mark Carney summoned this by -election in June after the resignation of the conservative Damien Kurek, who had easily won the headquarters during the April elections in April.
Mr. Kurek gave way to allow the conservative chief Pierre Hairy to introduce himself, he who was not re -elected in Carleton this spring.
Among the other parties, Darcy Spady presents himself for the Liberals, Katherine Swampy for neo-democrats and Bonnie Critichley is campaigning as an independent candidate.
Different process
Due to the very high number of candidates, Elections Canada had to make changes in its way of doing this by -election.
Contrary to what is used, voters will not be able to check the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote.
Instead, they will have to write in hand the name of the candidate of their choice in a virgin space.
“Even if they badly spelled the candidate’s name, their vote will be counted,” said Matthew McKenna, Canada election spokesperson.
“They can also add the name of the political party. However, if they only write the name of a political party, their bulletin cannot be counted. The candidate’s name must appear on the bulletin, “he said.
A list with the names of all the candidates, in large print, will be available in polling stations so that voters can refer to it, he added.
Laux and large tips will also be made available to voters.
Electoral agents received additional training. According to Mr. McKenna, they have means to help voters fill their bulletin. In addition, the counting process will be different.
Mr. Poilievre reiterated his frustration on Thursday in the face of this initiative aimed at lengthening the list of candidates. More than 90 candidates were on the ballot when he presented himself in Carleton this spring.
“I have no problem with those who want to go to the elections, even if they are not known or rich,” he said at a press conference on another subject in Calgary.
“But that’s not what these people do […] They just want to flood the ballot to sow confusion and make the vote more difficult. The visually impaired, the elderly and those who already have difficulties will have even more difficulty in voting, “he deplored.
