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Letters: Question on polling station

Polling stations in Sooke were too close together says letter writer

To the election officials and local newspapers:

When I voted in the Nov. 15 Sooke election, I was surprised to see that the voting booths were paired, permitting consultation between individuals in neighbouring seats.

I believe this was improper and in clear violation of the BC Local Government Act, Section 120  (1), which reads:  “While an elector is in a voting compartment to mark a ballot, no other person may observe or be in a position to observe the ballot being marked.”

I believe that the secret ballot is one of the foundations of modern democracy.  How can Canada so strongly urge other countries to adopt fair democratic procedures when we do not follow them everywhere ourselves?

I trust that the voters of Sooke resisted the temptation to influence their neighbours or examine their ballots before submission, but I do not see how we can be sure this never happened.

I do not want to cause trouble and hope no person will try to legally challenge the results of the election. Personally I was pleased with these results and believe they are correct, but I would like to suggest than in future the proper procedures be followed.

Doug Wilson

Sooke