Press Releases

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR ELECTION DAY

(OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 8, 2002) — Elections Canada issues the following reminders regarding activities prohibited in polling stations for the seven federal by-elections on Monday, May 13, 2002.

No one may post or display, in or on the exterior surface of a polling place, any campaign literature or other material that could be taken as an indication of support for, or opposition to, a party listed on the ballot or the election of a candidate.

Nor may anyone use loudspeakers within hearing distance of a polling station to promote or oppose a party listed on the ballot, or the election of a candidate; nor, while in a polling station, wear any supporting or opposing emblem; nor while in a polling station or in any place where voting in an election is taking place, otherwise influence or try to influence how an elector votes.

Candidates’ representatives have a right to express doubts about an elector’s identity or entitlement to vote, but they are prevented by law from doing so systematically. Candidates’ representatives may not carry materials identifying the candidate and/or his or her party. They are provided with approved identification tags for this purpose.

The Canada Elections Act includes provisions to enforce compliance with the above in all polling stations.

The deputy returning officers are in full charge of their polls. They answer only to the returning officer, or his or her representatives, and not to party or candidate representatives.

"Central poll supervisors, deputy returning officers, poll clerks and registration officers have accepted important responsibilities towards their fellow Canadians and towards our electoral democracy: we are all counting on them on Monday," said the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley.

For more information, candidates or electors may contact the offices of their returning officers. The addresses and telephone numbers of the returning officers for the ridings in which a by-election is being held are posted on Elections Canada’s Web site (www.elections.ca).

Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums.