Registered Liberals say online leadership voting system is rife with problems

The Liberal Party and Canada Post have been under fire after complaints from party members about the online voting system for the federal party’s leadership vote. Despite claims of efficiency from the party, multiple people have come forward to express their frustrations in navigating the process.

One party member, David Ferry from Toronto, described the process as “awful” and expressed his frustration at the inability of his wife, Kyra Harper, to cast her vote. Ferry detailed the difficulties they faced in verifying Harper’s identity using the Canada Post Identity+ app, with no assistance available at their local post office. Despite numerous attempts to reach out to the party and Canada Post, Harper remains unable to participate in the voting process.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Party defended the system, stating that the verification process is in place to ensure security and fairness. They emphasized that each complaint is being addressed individually before members can cast their ballots. The party maintained that the system is secure and accessible, with over 55,000 ballots cast out of the 79,000 verified Liberals since voting began.

Canada Post also stood by its identity verification app and in-person services, stating that there have been no issues since the service launched. They emphasized their commitment to working closely with the Liberal Party to ensure a smooth process for members.

Frustrations have been mounting among party members who have taken to social media to voice their complaints. Many have reported difficulties in navigating the system, with some unable to get answers from the party’s support email. Issues with the mobile app and in-person verification process have been cited as major roadblocks for members trying to cast their votes.

Campaigns for the Liberal leadership candidates have acknowledged the challenges faced by their supporters in using the online voting system. Some have raised concerns about the poor user experience and the ineffectiveness of Canada Post in assisting members in person. Despite efforts to address the issues, a senior official from one of the campaigns revealed that 10 to 20 percent of intended voters have reported problems with the process.

As discontent among party members continues to grow, the Liberal Party and Canada Post will need to address these concerns promptly to ensure a smooth and fair voting process for all members.