CTV News - ADQ says No to veiled voting
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Posted by ctv on 16:05:44 2007/09/07
In Reply to:
Premier Jean Charest says all voters must be clearly identified when voting posted by Canoe News
Reverse decision to let veiled women vote: BQ
Updated Fri. Sep. 7 2007 2:02 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The Bloc Quebecois is asking Elections Canada to reverse a decision that permits Muslim women to vote while wearing a burka or niqab.
Electoral laws revised in June demand that all voters prove their identity and place of residence.
However, federal election officials announced new rules Thursday to allow women to vote without having to show their face. The controversial decision comes just prior to three federal byelections in Quebec on Sept. 17.
Women wearing the head coverings can vote by bringing a piece of identification with a photo and another document proving their identity.
If the women do not have the required documents, or someone to vouch for their identity, than they will be required to show their faces before voting.
"This is the position of Elections Canada and we will hold the line,'' spokesman John Enright said Thursday.
The house leader of the ADQ, Sebastien Proulx, also criticized the ruling, calling it a tremendous error.
"This debate has already taken place in Quebec and we know how quickly it can get out of control. To allow someone to vote with their face covered, if we don't allow it to everyone, we shouldn't allow it for others either,'' Proulx said Thursday.
Last year, Elections Quebec reneged on a similar position during the provincial election after receiving threatening phone calls and emails. Quebec's three main political parties also fought the decision.
The Sept. 17 byelections are in the Montreal riding of Outremont, the rural riding of St-Hyacinthe-Bagot and the Roberval-Lac-St-Jean riding north of Quebec City.
The issue will probably play out the strongest in Outremont, a diverse multicultural neighbourhood.
With a report from CTV Montreal's Paul Karwatsky and files from The Canadian Press
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