New Westminster Police Section is investigating whether incumbent university board chair Gurveen Dhaliwal broke the Neighborhood Federal government Act on the first working day of progress voting | Photo: Contributed, New Westminster Record data files
New Westminster Law enforcement Section is investigating whether the incumbent school board chair broke the Nearby Governing administration Act on the very first day of progress voting.
Jason Chan, campaign manager for the New West Progressives, explained in an job interview that he happened to be a scrutineer on Oct. 5 at Queensborough Group Centre when he acknowledged college board prospect Gurveen Dhaliwal of Local community Initial New Westminster.
“I didn’t think a great deal about it at the time. I went back again out to my car after I’d finished, but then I believed superior of it and went again in to look at with the presiding election officer there just to confirm,” Chan said. “He confirmed with me verbally that it was indeed Gurveen Dhaliwal scrutineering on behalf of [city council candidate] Ruby Campbell.”
Chan claimed he questioned why Dhaliwal was allowed to scrutineer, because a applicant is not permitted at a voting spot apart from to vote. Chan mentioned the presiding officer did not notice Dhaliwal was a prospect, but proceeded to call chief election officer Jacque Killawee. Killawee later verified to Chan by electronic mail that Dhaliwal experienced been present at the voting station for an hour and that she contacted Dhaliwal to remind her of the law.
Chan said candidates have been supplied “extensive, comprehensive” handbooks on election procedures and regulations and this is not Dhaliwal’s to start with municipal election. She won a seat on college board in 2018.
“It looks odd to me that the [chief election officer] has not deemed it severe enough to motion on it,” Chan reported.
Killawee’s e-mail explained a complaint could be built to police for investigation and referral to Crown counsel for feasible prosecution. The regulation sets a maximum $5,000 wonderful and up to one particular calendar year in jail on conviction. Chan formally complained to police on Oct. 9.
Neither Killawee, Dhaliwal nor Campbell have responded for remark.
Dhaliwal Tweeted a image of herself donning an “I voted” sticker at 1:09 p.m. on Oct. 5. “So proud to have voted for the @Group1stNW staff!” she wrote.
On Oct. 6, Killawee sent a generic memo to candidates to remind them that no prospect may be current in a voting area other than to vote, even as a scrutineer.
In a subsequent generic memo on Oct. 7, Killawee described that she received a concern about effects for a candidate who breaks the regulations.
“I am likely to limit my reaction to the principles about candidates and attending a polling spots. But be sure to know that it is the candidate’s obligation to have read through the pertinent Acts and comply with the legislation as was observed in your nomination conference,” said Killawee’s e-mail.
“With regards to candidates attending polling stations pursuant to segment 120(4) of the Community Federal government Act, ‘a applicant ought to not be current at a voting put … while voting proceedings are staying conducted”, apart from in buy to vote. There is no exception for in which a prospect also happens to be a scrutineer for another election at the very same voting place’.”
A assertion from New Westminster Police general public data officer Sgt. Justine Thom verified police are investigating.
“We gained a phone from a member of the general public relating to carry out of voting proceedings. Investigators are doing work to collect evidence and determine if a violation of the Regional Authorities Act took area,” Thom claimed.
