Elections BC responds to court petition over 22 disputed mail-in ballots in Surrey-Guildford riding after B.C. Conservative candidate challenges result.
Elections BC Defends Mail-in Ballot Procedures in Surrey Case
Legal Challenge Emerges Post-Election
B.C. Conservative candidate Honveer Singh Randhawa, who lost the Surrey-Guildford seat by 22 votes to NDP’s Garry Begg in October, filed a legal petition in January challenging the validity of the result. The petition, now before the B.C. Supreme Court, cites alleged voting irregularities and calls for the election to be declared invalid under Section 150 of the Election Act.
Mail-In Ballots at Centre of Dispute
The dispute hinges on 22 mail-in ballots issued to a single care facility. According to Randhawa’s legal team, Elections BC failed to verify that a qualified election official was present when the ballots were requested and submitted. While Elections BC acknowledged the ballots were sent using a single email and phone number, it stated this was permissible under the Act due to recent rule changes allowing facility staff to assist multiple voters.
Admission and Oversight
Elections BC’s June 19 response acknowledged an internal failure to confirm the appointment of an on-site election official. Still, it argued that staff acted under amended guidelines and did not intend to breach the Election Act. The agency emphasized that three of the 22 ballots were rejected due to procedural issues, while others followed standard certification.
Timing and Legal Boundaries
Elections BC’s response also asserts that Randhawa’s petition was filed past the 30-day legal window for challenging election conduct under Section 150. It claims Randhawa must instead prove violations under Sections 256 or 257, which relate to voter intimidation or corrupt practices. Randhawa’s lawyer argues this is unreasonable, noting that Elections BC’s own admission came after the deadline passed.
Voter Information Access Delays
Randhawa also sought access to voter participation data, requesting spreadsheets to investigate potential irregularities. While Elections BC eventually provided the data in late November, it admitted that quality checks had not been finalized. Randhawa contends the delay hindered his ability to launch a timely and informed challenge.
Non-Resident Voter Allegations Reviewed
The case also investigates claims of non-resident voting. Elections BC refuted most of these concerns, clarifying that 18 of the 23 disputed voters had verified addresses within the riding. Others had recent address updates, and two were associated with hospitals or care homes. The agency confirmed that no individuals voted multiple times under duplicate identities.
Next Steps in Court
The matter is scheduled for a case management conference on June 25, with a full trial expected in late summer or early fall. The hearing is anticipated to last two to three weeks. The claims remain untested in court, and both sides are preparing for a closely watched legal process that could set a precedent for mail-in voting oversight in future provincial elections.
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