Elections Canada worker in GTA removed following allegations of voter interference
Elections Canada Investigates Allegations of Voter Influence at Polling Stations
Elections Canada is currently investigating allegations of voter influence at polling stations in the Greater Toronto Area, specifically in Vaughan, Ontario. The agency has stated that one of its employees will no longer be working at any polling stations while the investigation is ongoing.
The incident in Vaughan was brought to light by the campaign team for Liberal candidate Mubarak Ahmed in the King-Vaughan riding. According to Nadeem Mahmoud, the spokesperson for Ahmed’s campaign, multiple individuals reported that a woman wearing an Elections Canada badge was approaching voters at the Teston Village Public School polling station and encouraging them to vote for the Conservative Party of Canada.
Witnesses at the polling station reported that the woman was speaking to voters in both English and Urdu, with some individuals stating that she mentioned voting for the “blue” party, a common reference to the Conservative Party. The Liberal campaign team quickly reported the incident to Elections Canada and called for a formal investigation, as well as retraining of poll workers to ensure political neutrality.
In response to the allegations, Elections Canada stated that the worker in question will not be present at any polling stations while the investigation takes place. The agency emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the voting process and has referred the incident to the Commissioner of Canada Elections for further review.
The Conservative Party of Canada has denied any involvement in the alleged voter influence incident in Vaughan. However, they did report a similar incident in Milton East–Halton Hills South, where an Elections Canada employee was allegedly encouraging voters to support the Liberal Party. Elections Canada confirmed that they are aware of this second incident and have taken measures to ensure that election workers remain non-partisan.
Other political parties, such as the NDP and the Green Party of Canada, have expressed their concerns about the allegations and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. Both parties have called for increased scrutiny and screening protocols for election workers to prevent any further incidents of voter influence.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial that the integrity of the democratic process is upheld, and all voters can cast their ballots freely and without interference. It is essential for Elections Canada and parliamentarians to work together to address any concerns swiftly and ensure the security of the voting process in liberal democracies.
