13

May

Creditability of Elections in Canada Comes Under Question

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The credibility of elections worldwide is increasingly under the microscope, and Canada is no exception. In the wake of its recent federal elections, several ridings have seen disputed outcomes, recounts, and judicial reviews, casting doubt on the robustness of the current electoral process.

One of the most high-profile developments has been the role of the Longest Ballot Committee, a group pushing for electoral reform. In the Carleton riding, the committee was behind 85 of the 91 candidates who appeared on the ballot—none of whom received more than 57 votes. This tactic, which overwhelmed the ballot and created logistical challenges, was designed to highlight flaws in the electoral system. The Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, lost this seat to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy by more than 4,300 votes.

In a statement, the Longest Ballot Committee argued that election rules should be determined by an independent, non-partisan citizens’ assembly, not politicians. The group has called for 200 supporters to register by May 12, with the aim of repeating its strategy in Alberta, where Poilievre is expected to contest a byelection to return to Parliament.

The Carleton ballot itself caused numerous complications. Its sheer length—almost a metre—required custom printing and delayed vote counting. Advance ballots had to be counted hours before polls closed, and final tallies were only available the following day.

Elsewhere, the result in Milton East–Halton Hills was overturned after validation. Initially declared the winner, Conservative candidate Parm Gill now trails his Liberal opponent by 29 votes. Gill has requested a judicial recount. At least six ridings across Canada are currently undergoing reviews or recounts, most of which could further strengthen the ruling Liberals, who are inching toward a majority with 170 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons.

 

Column at a Glance
The credibility of Canada's electoral process is under scrutiny following recent federal elections marked by disputed outcomes, recounts, and judicial reviews. A notable initiative, the Longest Ballot Committee, aimed to highlight flaws in the system by overwhelming the ballot in the Carleton riding, where none of the 91 candidates received more than 57 votes. This tactic drew attention to the need for electoral reform, advocating for an independent citizens’ assembly to determine election rules.
Tuesday Twist
By Prabhjot Singh
Several ridings, including Milton East–Halton Hills and Terrebonne, are undergoing recounts, with outcomes potentially benefiting the ruling Liberals, who currently hold 170 seats in the House of Commons. The situation has sparked debates about Canada's reliance on traditional paper ballots and the need for systemic reforms to restore public trust in the electoral process. As byelections approach, the pressure for change intensifies amid ongoing disputes and narrow margins in several races.

 

Amid this uncertainty, the political focus has already shifted to the next likely byelection. Damien Kurek, the Conservative MP re-elected from Battle River–Crowfoot with over 82% of the vote, has offered to resign his seat to allow Pierre Poilievre to return to the House of Commons. Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated he will act swiftly to trigger a byelection—possibly within 11 days of Kurek's official resignation. This would lead to one of the fastest byelection turnarounds in Canadian political history.

Under Canadian law, a Prime Minister has up to 180 days to call a byelection after a seat is declared vacant. Unlike India, where the independent Election Commission oversees electoral scheduling, Canada’s Prime Minister has significant discretion in setting election dates.

A number of seats remain in flux due to narrow margins and legal challenges. In the Quebec riding of Terrebonne, a judicial recount reversed the result, flipping the seat from the Bloc Québécois to the Liberals by a single vote. Originally, the Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste was declared the winner, but the result changed during validation. However, after the recount, Auguste regained the lead—23,352 votes to incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné’s 23,351—giving the Liberals their 170th seat.

Similar scenarios are playing out elsewhere. A recount is set for Milton East–Halton Hills South, where a validation process gave the Liberals a 29-vote lead. In Terra Nova–The Peninsulas, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Liberals won by just 12 votes, with a recount scheduled for May 12. Another close race in Windsor–Tecumseh–Lakeshore, Ontario, will undergo a recount on May 20, after the Conservative candidate was declared the winner by just 77 votes.

Even if the Liberals manage to flip one more riding, they will still fall just short of the 172 seats needed for a majority. Nonetheless, their position has been significantly strengthened through recounts and judicial interventions.

These developments have intensified debate over Canada’s electoral systems. In contrast to India, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) are used, Canada still relies on traditional paper ballots. Votes are counted immediately after polling closes, supplemented by advance and postal ballots. The delays and disputes following the recent election have prompted calls for reforms that go beyond ballot design and into how election rules are governed.

The recent election has revealed vulnerabilities in Canada's democratic process, not only in its mechanics but also in public trust. As disputes continue and byelections loom, pressure is mounting for systemic reforms to restore confidence in the fairness and integrity of Canada’s elections.

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