A coordinated effort involving 74 independent candidates, primarily organized by the Longest Ballot Committee, is protesting Canada's electoral system in Pierre Poilievre's Carleton riding. Their main goal is to draw attention to the perceived conflict of interest of politicians overseeing election rules and advocate for a permanent, non-partisan electoral reform body.
The protest specifically targets the first-past-the-post system, where candidates can win with less than 50% of the vote. The committee criticizes the lack of electoral reform despite promises from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The group aims to demonstrate how the current system doesn't adequately represent voters.
While an Acadia University professor doubts the protest will significantly alter the election outcome, it could potentially divert votes from smaller parties. Elections Canada's Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, proposed penalties for ballot-stacking protests due to the logistical challenges they create. The Longest Ballot Committee considers these proposed sanctions unreasonable.
The protest has also occurred in previous by-elections, resulting in extremely long ballots. The situation is seen by some as highlighting the need for change, potentially including requiring each candidate to have their own official agent. Despite this, the professor noted that independently running candidates not affiliated with this protest effort would have a more difficult time in this riding, even beyond the logistical hurdles created by this protest.