I also read a story earlier this week that 55 soldiers from CFB Gagetown currently serving in Afghanistan were unable to vote in Monday's NB provincial election because of an error shipping the absentee ballots.
According to the article, oversea Forces personnel
must be given the opportunity to cast a ballot in federal elections, but provincial and municipal votes are seen more as a "nice to have".
Quote:
Gagetown Public Affairs officer Lt. (Navy) Alain Blondin said Task Force Kandahar personnel who were eligible to vote in the Sept. 27 provincial election were unable to do so due to an error in the shipment of the voting ballots.
In total, 55 registered personnel deployed with Task Force Kandahar were affected, he said.
"As a result of the shipping irregularity, the ballots were not received and returned in time for the election count," Blondin said. "After the shipping error was discovered, the current Task Force determined that there were no means available to expedite the delivery, completion and return of the ballots by the Sept. 27, 2010, deadline."
While not mandated to do so, Task Force Kandahar works to ensure that those personnel who wish to participate elections at both the municipal and provincial level are afforded the opportunity, Blondin said.
Task Force Kandahar is mandated to provide all personnel with the opportunity to vote during federal elections.
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Emphasis added.
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/c...rticle/1239658