Long Ballot Committee Pursues Partial Election of Poilievre
In the downtown scene of Ottawa, the intriguing narrative continues to unfold. Following his defeat in the Carleton federal election, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is eyeing a comeback, with ambitious plans to run in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding in Alberta.
The soon-to-be-vacated seat, currently held by Damien Kurek—re-elected for the third time last week—is set to open a new chapter. Kurek, who plans to make way for Poilievre, stated that he will step down to provide the Conservative leader with an opportunity to re-enters the House of Commons.
Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at triggering the by-election promptly to offer Poilievre a swift return. The by-election campaign, when called, will unfold between 36 to 50 days, potentially paving the way for a face-off between Poilievre and the current incumbent.
Electoral reform advocates have voiced their concerns, suggesting that politicians should recuse themselves from decisions related to electoral rules. They argue for a more permanent, non-partisan, and independent body, such as a citizens' assembly, to oversee these matters.
Last election season, the "Long Ballot Committee," a mysterious group, added 85 out of 91 candidates' names to the Carleton ballot, though none of them managed to garner more than 57 votes. The group has been active since 2022, trying to draw attention to the need for electoral reform by presenting numerous candidates in multiple by-elections across Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.
The Carleton ballots, notably longer than standard ones, caused difficulties during the counting process. The unique ballots, measuring nearly a meter, were cumbersome to fold and insert into the ballot boxes for voters. Poilievre faced a defeat in this election, falling short to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy by 4,315 votes.
If at least 200 individuals sign up by May 12, the "Long Ballot Committee" may attempt to organize a similar extended ballot situation in Battle River-Crowfoot. As of now, Poilievre hasn't officially announced his plans and remains reserved on the matter. The Conservative caucus is scheduled to convene in Ottawa on Tuesday morning, where the discussions about Poilievre's potential candidacy might surface.
In the meantime, the inhabitants of Battle River-Crowfoot passively wait to witness whether the long-held riding will welcome Poilievre back into the political scene or join forces with another representational force.
French politicians and general news outlets have shown interest in the unfolding political drama in Battle River-Crowfoot, Canada, as Pierre Poilievre, the defeated Conservative leader, aims for a comeback. With Poilievre's potential candidacy to be discussed in the upcoming Conservative caucus meeting, policy-and-legislation surrounding electoral reform could be a focal point, considering the controversial long ballots used in the Carleton federal election and the proposed use of extended ballots in Battle River-Crowfoot by the "Long Ballot Committee."
