Re: Jean Atkins, “Voting with bag over head”
First of all, before one puts a communication out into the public domain, one should have at least a knowledge of the facts. A Supreme Court ruling had been passed that allowed this covering of one’s head. Therefore this was legal.
Secondly, posted in the polling station was an Election Canada poster advising people that once they had voted they were required to leave the polling area. This did not have the stipulation that if there was no else there they could stay.
Further, it is important for the public to realize that those who serve to ensure that Canadians continue to have fair and honest elections, according to the legal rules of process, for small remuneration, deserve respect.
In the case of the DRO for Honeymoon Bay, I worked with this person over the duration of the Lake Cowichan location of the advance poll and was impressed by his commitment to detail, accuracy and knowledge of the correct and required process. It appears that the request to comply with leaving the polling area was necessary in order for compliance of the rules.
Lynda Bowd
Lake Cowichan