| Canadian federal election, 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |
| Conservative | John Duncan | 26,166 | 45.78% | +5.17% | $76,173 | |
| New Democrat | Catherine J. Bell | 23,681 | 41.43% | -0.29% | $80,622 | |
| Green | Philip Stone | 4,563 | 7.98% | +3.14% | $12,309 | |
| Liberal | Geoff Fleischer | 2,391 | 4.18% | -8.65% | $2,026 | |
| Independent | Jason Draper | 361 | 0.63% | -- | ||
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | 100.00% | $109,871 | ||||
| Conservative gain from New Democratic Party | Swing | +2.73 | ||||
TwitterDee,TwitterDuh
Sona and the Burke campaign team directed all requests for media comment about this episode to the Conservative Party of Canada national campaign.
In a news release issued Friday morning, the party “vehemently denies that any of its workers or volunteers interfered” at the polling station.
“In particular, the Marty Burke campaign denies that any of its workers or volunteers touched a ballot box or ballot,” read the release. “The outlandish and unfounded claims being spread on the internet are the product of desperation, and are most regrettable.”
Students Brenna Anstett and Claire Whalen both said Sona tried to grab the ballot box. Anstett was “100 per cent” sure it was Sona after she identified him in a group photo provided by the Guelph Mercury.
Sona is a former University of Guelph student and former member of the Guelph Campus Conservatives. He also founded the group’s Facebook page.
Conservative party spokesperson Ryan Sparrow, the official responding to media queries about the case, wouldn’t say if Sona had been on campus in connection with the episode....
Once Elections Canada officials were made aware of the local initiative in Guelph, the returning officer was instructed not to engage in any further activities of a similar nature. All returning officers have received this instruction..."
OTTAWA (Apr 15, 2011) — Elections Canada says ballots cast at the University of Guelph are valid.
The elections watchdog has issued a statement slapping down a Conservative party effort to have the votes annulled.
Elections Canada agrees the special balloting at the university was not pre-authorized before the election campaign, as it should have been.
Nevertheless, the agency says the votes were "cast in a manner that respects the Canada Elections Act and are valid."
The Conservatives had complained about the process, alleging that its local campaign scrutineer had not been allowed into the room and that Liberal campaign material had been seen in the voting area.
However, Elections Canada says all information at its disposal indicates the proceedings were above board.
About 700 ballots were cast Wednesday as part of a "vote mob" organized by students to encourage young people to participate in the election.
