Fair electoral reform process in PEI threatened by government interference (Oct. 23, 2005)
October 23, 2005
The opportunity for Prince Edward Islanders to lead the nation on electoral reform is being threatened by blatant government manipulation of the plebiscite process, according to Fair Vote Canada, the national citizens' organization promoting voting system reform. Islanders will vote on a proposed mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system in a November 28 plebiscite.
According to reports yesterday, Premier Pat Binns: 1) directed Elections P.E.I. to significantly cut the number of polling stations to be open for the plebiscite, 2) after ensuring it will be harder to vote, announced he will not implement any reform if turnout is low; and 3) indicated he does not accept the recommendation from the Commission on P.E.I.'s Electoral Future for a 50 per cent plus one threshold.
"Fair Vote Canada had previously commended Premier Binns for setting up an independent commission to direct the P.E.I. electoral reform process," said Larry Gordon, Executive Director of Fair Vote Canada. "Unfortunately his most recent statements are an illustration of the type of brazen and unfair political manipulation that sickens most Canadians. Premier Binns apparently wants to derail electoral reform. Not only is he making it hard for the reform team to get on the field, he is shifting the goalposts in an effort to keep them from winning."
"The last plebiscite in P.E.I., on the fixed link, was held with the usual number of polls and a simple majority threshold," noted Gordon. "It seems if the Government wants a "yes" vote, the standard rules for democratic decision-making are used, but if it wants a "no" vote, it tosses fair procedure aside."
Fair Vote Canada calls on Premier Binns to acknowledge that in a democracy the voting system is an accountability mechanism for the benefit of the citizenry. He should rethink his decisions, make a commitment to fair democratic process, and trust voters to make a good decision. He should act in good faith by: 1) directing Elections PEI to open the usual number of polling stations, 2) encouraging all islanders to vote on November 28, and 3) honouring the majority decision by those who do.