VOTERS CAN BE VEILED

10 September 2007
Canada’s chief electoral officer, Marc Mayrand, on Monday again entered the current controversy about whether veiled Muslim women can arrive veiled at polling stations. Mr. Mayrand says there nothing in the current law texts that requires them to identify themselves by removing their veils. The electoral officer says it’s not up to him to change electoral law because that would be to usurp his role and that Parliament should do so if it sees fit. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and all four political parties represented in the House of Commons have criticized Elections Canada for not making unveiling a requirement to vote. The law states that if a person lacks either a photo identification or proof of residence, the person can take an oath or present a second person who will vouch for identity. Mr. Mayrand says he raised the question of veiled Muslim voters with all the political parties last July without hearing any objections.
RCI