Elections Canada Finds 822 Special Ballots Misplaced in B.C.
Elections Canada has revealed that 822 special ballots, cast in the Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam riding but meant for 74 other electoral districts across Canada, were mistakenly left behind at the local returning officer’s office. The ballots should have been sent to the national headquarters by April 28 to be counted.
No Impact on Election Results, Says Initial Analysis
An early review by Elections Canada indicates that the misplacement did not affect the outcome of any races. Among the mislaid ballots, over 500 were for the nearby Port Moody–Coquitlam district, where Liberal Zoe Royer won with a margin of nearly 2,000 votes over Conservative Paul Lambert.
Human Error and Procedure Lapses Cited as Cause
The agency attributes the error to human oversight and failure to follow established written procedures. All registered political parties have been informed of the situation, and Elections Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, has called for a thorough examination of current controls to prevent a recurrence.
Commitment to Election Integrity and Transparency
Perrault emphasized the agency’s dedication to resolving election delivery issues promptly and maintaining trust. “My commitment to candidates, political parties, and Canadians is that when issues arise, we take all necessary steps to address them,” he stated.
Ballots Spanned Across Canada’s Electoral Map
The misplaced special ballots were intended for a wide range of ridings, including Halifax, Nepean, Vancouver Centre, and others spanning the country. Despite the logistical hiccup, Elections Canada remains confident in the overall integrity of the election process.
This incident highlights the challenges of managing a complex national election but reassures voters that safeguards are in place.
