Elections BC is wanting right into a criticism of voting irregularities within the using of Surrey-Guildford, the place a slim NDP win gave it a one-seat majority within the 2024 election.
Allegations lodged by BC Conservative Chief John Rustad embrace improper voting at a licenced habit restoration lodge, the place the get together claims 45 doubtful votes have been solid.
BC Conservative candidate Honveer Singh Randhawa misplaced the using by 22 votes. The Conservatives declare 21 mail-in poll votes solid by residents of Argyll Lodge, which is throughout the road from a polling station, have been influenced by a 3rd get together.
“Now we have three individuals who have confirmed from this lodge that they have been voted in a sure method which you’ll be able to see that was not as per their will,” Randhawa alleged.
The BC Conservative get together additionally factors to an obvious $1,400 donation to the BC NDP in 2024 by the power’s supervisor, Baljit Kandola.
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Kandola directed inquiries to Fraser Well being on Friday. Fraser Well being directed inquiries to Elections BC.
“There’s no fact to the matter,” Kandola informed World Information.
“And I’m right here I’m attempting to do my job. I’ve 25 folks to maintain.”
Talking on CKNW’s The Jas Johal Present, UBC political scientist Max Cameron stated a few of the allegations have been “very vital,” however have been offered with out “lots of stable proof.”
“There are tales, there are rumours, there are strategies, however its arduous to know whether or not these claims quantity to one thing severe,” he stated.
“What’s puzzling to me is having laid out a collection of complaints with none actual proof to again them up, Rustad then says we want an investigative committee to have a look at this fairly than Elections BC … they’re the impartial electoral authority,” he stated.
“I don’t perceive how one can make such imprecise allegations after which dismiss the related authority and go to one thing that basically seems to be like it’s an try and politicize the problem.”
Elections BC Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman stated he stands by the electoral course of.
“I’m absolutely assured that the election was held in accordance with the Election Act and there’s many processes in place to guard elections’ integrity,” he stated.
The BC conservatives are calling for an impartial inquiry.
Elections BC says it would conduct its personal assessment.
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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