Registered third-party advertisers involved in the Alberta separation debate are expressing dissatisfaction with Elections Alberta’s decision to prohibit them from appointing scrutineers to oversee the voting process. The electoral body cited concerns over logistical constraints and space limitations as the primary reasons for this ruling. While political parties with official party status, such as the United Conservative Party and NDP, are permitted to designate scrutineers, third-party advertisers have been excluded.
The announcement came as a surprise to campaigners who had already initiated the process of appointing scrutineers, as Elections Alberta’s website initially indicated that TPAs could appoint scrutineers for the referendum. Elections Alberta clarified that the presence of scrutineers from political parties suffices at this stage, negating the need for additional oversight from TPAs.
In response to the decision, a coalition of pro-separation TPAs has jointly petitioned Elections Alberta to reconsider and permit the appointment of scrutineers from select TPAs by a specified deadline. The absence of scrutineers from TPAs advocating for Option 2 in the referendum, which aims to trigger a second binding referendum on separation, has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
The dispute underscores the unique nature of this referendum, where traditional candidates are absent, and the bulk of campaigning has been carried out by TPAs. The exclusion of TPAs from overseeing the voting and ballot counting processes has sparked criticism from various quarters, with calls for a more inclusive approach to ensure trust and confidence in the electoral system.
Former Alberta chief electoral officer Lorne Gibson has weighed in on the matter, acknowledging the potential for legal challenges to Elections Alberta’s decision. However, he pointed out that with advance polling already underway and a high expected voter turnout, resolving the issue before the completion of voting may prove challenging. As the referendum day approaches on October 19, the controversy surrounding the scrutineer appointment process continues to unfold.
