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Adaptations made to the Canada Elections Act pursuant to section 17

Subsection 17(1) of the Canada Elections Act authorizes the Chief Electoral Officer to adapt any provision of the Act during the election period or within 30 days after the election. To exercise this authority, the Chief Electoral Officer must be satisfied that the adaptation is necessary due to an emergency, an unusual or unforeseen circumstance or an error. As of 2014, this power of adaptation may be used only for the purpose of enabling electors to exercise their right to vote or enabling the counting of votes. Adaptations made pursuant to this authority are reported to the Speaker of the House of Commons in accordance with section 534 of the Canada Elections Act.