Canada’s top election official is proposing changes to nomination rules to curb so-called “longest vote” protests that disrupted vote counting in two recent by-elections.
Stephen Perrault told the House Procedures Committee last week that many of the candidates who participated in these special elections had their nomination papers signed by the same electors.
“This shows that voters who signed nomination papers are not supporting the nomination of a particular candidate, but rather the idea of fielding as many candidates as possible,” he said. said.
The committee is considering Bill C-65, which would, among other things, reduce the number of signatures a candidate must collect to run for office from 100 to 75.
Perot said he is in favor of lowering the threshold, but that individuals who have signed multiple endorsements or encouraged others to do so in order to get as many candidates on the ballot as possible. He argued that “certain penalties” should be imposed. He did not say what the penalty should be.
Dozens of candidates ran in two by-elections held earlier this year, with 91 candidates running in LaSalle-Aimard-Verdun and 84 in Toronto-St. Louis. Paul’s. Canadian elections required printing a ballot paper approximately one meter long to fill in all the names.
Most of the candidates were affiliated with an election reform advocacy group called the Longest Voting Committee. The group wants to put electoral reform in charge of citizens’ assemblies, arguing that political parties are too reluctant to make the government representative of the electorate.
The lengthy voting process delayed the counting of votes and the final results for both mounts were announced well after midnight. Perot also said the lengthy ballot process is creating problems for voters with disabilities.
Perot said the changes he is proposing should make it clear that candidates should not be disqualified because someone has signed multiple nomination forms.
“No candidate should have his or her nomination paper rejected or challenged simply because he or she happens to have signed someone else’s nomination paper. “Because we don’t know if they signed the document,” he said in French.
Asked how his proposal would move forward, Perot said the verification process should occur after the election, not at the nomination stage. He said the goal was not to punish “distracted” electors who may have signed multiple forms, but to discourage people from signing large numbers of candidates.
“After the election, we will be able to see whether anyone has signed a set of nomination papers, and then the Secretary will be able to take action if he deems it appropriate,” Perrault said in French.
Many of the candidates on LaSalle-Aimard-Verdun’s longest-running voting committee had the same official agent listed on their nomination papers to act on their behalf and manage their campaign finances.
Protesters say proposal cannot be blocked
Perot was asked before the committee about imposing restrictions on official representatives. He said it was unlikely to deter long-term voting protests.
“It’s a very small job…I think it would be easier if you had different official representatives,” he said.
The Longest Voting Committee criticized Perot’s proposal but said it would not stop if adopted.
“We are disappointed to see Elections Canada playing a leading role in developing policies that directly target us,” the group said in a statement. I’m just pointing out that they shouldn’t be responsible for creating ethical rules and regulations.” Said.
“In any case, the new amendments will not succeed in stopping our movement. We are working smarter, not harder, and collecting more signatures from more people in the rules. I will be happy to collect signatures if it is deemed necessary.”
