Advanced polls see 29% hike in voter turn-out
By Castlegar Source
Preliminary estimates indicate a higher turn-out for advanced voting this election, compared to the previous one in 2015, according to a news release issued by Elections Canada.
The release said advance polls were open from Friday, Oct. 11, to Monday, Oct. 14,and,for the first time, for 12 hours each day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“According to the preliminary figures, some 4,700,000 electors voted at the advance polls in this general election. This is a 29-per-cent increase from the 3,657,415 electors who voted in advance in the 2015 general election.”
The release also clarified that that these are estimates, and that not all polls may have reported yet.
“More and more, Canadians are taking advantage of early voting opportunities to cast their ballots,” says Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault. “Having extended voting hours at advance polls gave Canadians more flexibility to use this option. I want to thank returning officers for their careful planning and the thousands of election workers who made that possible.”
Perrault added that Elections Canada is paying special attention to electors in Manitoba who have been affected by challenging circumstances in recent days and may have been unable to take advantage of advance polls.
“We will add resources at the local level and be prepared to adjust our services for Monday, Oct. 21, as required. Our top priority is to ensure that electors in Manitoba are able to cast their ballot.”
A breakdown of the estimated number of electors who voted at the advance polls, by province or territory and electoral district, for all 338 electoral districts is being calculated, and will soon be available on elections.ca.
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