Press Releases and Media Advisories

Important Reminders for Electors on Election Day,
Monday, November 27, 2006

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 23, 2006 — The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, issued some reminders today to help electors cast their ballots at the federal by-elections on Monday, November 27, 2006, in Repentigny (Quebec) and
London North Centre (Ontario).

The address and voting hours of an elector's polling station are shown on the voter information card that he or she received in the mail. "An elector must vote at the polling station for his or her own polling division, which is determined by the home address," stated Mr. Kingsley. "It's a good idea to bring your card with you when you go to vote. It is not an identification document, but it will give you quicker access to your polling station," added Mr. Kingsley.

Any elector who did not receive his or her voter information card should contact the office of the returning officer in his or her electoral district to get the address of the polling station. This information is also available on the Elections Canada Web site by clicking on the Voter Information Service icon at www.elections.ca and typing in your postal code, or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868.

Canadian citizens 18 years of age or over by election day are eligible to vote. The names of all registered electors appear on the lists of electors. Any elector whose name is not on the lists may still register on election day, before voting. Electors registering on election day must provide official documents that include their name, address and signature, or take the prescribed oath and be vouched for under oath by another elector whose name already appears on the list of electors in the same polling division.

Employers must, if necessary, alter the working hours of their employees who are qualified to vote, to allow employees at least three consecutive hours to vote while their polling stations are open. No employer may make a deduction from the pay of an employee, or impose a penalty, for the time that the employer must allow for voting.

An elector requiring assistance to vote may request it from an election officer present at the polling station, or may be accompanied behind the voting screen by a friend. The friend must first swear an oath to follow the elector's instructions, not to try to influence his or her choice and not to disclose how the elector voted. An individual may help only one voter in any given election.

A large-size mock-up of the ballot will be available at all polling stations. The purpose of this mock-up is to further accommodate the needs of electors with visual impairments. The deputy returning officer will provide a mock-up to any elector who requests one in order to facilitate the exercise of his or her right to vote.

All polling stations have level access.

The Chief Electoral Officer reminds electors that it is an offence to vote more than once at an election.

For further information, electors may contact the office of the returning officer, visit www.elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868.

By-elections will be held in Repentigny and London North Centre on Monday, November 27, 2006.

Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.

Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
or at www.elections.ca