Quote:
Originally Posted by GP_Matt
Robocalls are really cheap. I think you can call an entire riding for $200 so I don't think it would be impossible for one person or a small group to decide to do it. You can breakdown past election results by polling station so it would be possible to target certain areas.
I have heard a few stories of election fraud in the past and it always seems to stem from a few overzealous supporters and not the party or candidate directly. That said, the practice is atrocious and should be investigated fully. And I say that as a supporter of the federal conservatives.
As a side, does anyone know what the potential punishment is for this? I wonder if criminal charges are possible.
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Well for a robocall I used when I ran for public office, it was more than $200. Also, articles I read show that this is the same company that did the calling that the CPC was using in many ridings and was based in Edmonton....which makes you wonder how many people had knowledge of this?
I don't think for a second that Harper or his inner circle are involved. They have way bigger things to deal with than with a little scheme like this. Its not just some kid either though; way too big to just be an individual. If you have even half of the ridings alleged as involved that means about 20 ridings. Even at $200 (which I would say is nearly impossible to do that cheap), you're looking at $4000. My guess is that this is at leas closer to $10,000 if not more, but at $4000 this isn't likely to be a one-man show.
The bigger problem I have with this though is that it affects peoples right to vote. We already have low turnout figures and too much apathy, but then you have someone in a position of trust (people ask every candidate about where to vote, and whether you agree with them politically or not, you feel like they know and wouldn't mislead you on that fact!), who is willfully and knowingly giving false information. They really should be punished. If a political party had knowledge and was complicit they also should be penalised. No matter what side of the political debate you find yourself you can't look past this kind of thing.