Harrison Alleges Election Irregularities

Harrison Alleges Election Irregularities

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 13:19

The runner-up in last night’s vote in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River is disputing last night’s results that saw him lose his seat in Ottawa.

Among other things, the Conservatives’ Jeremy Harrison has a problem with results from the final poll that put the Liberals’ Gary Merasty over the top.

Merasty won by a 106-vote margin after receiving 341 votes on the final poll, which came from the Ahtahkakoop First Nation.

Harrison alleges the voter turnout for that poll was greater than 100 per cent. He also has concerns that it took over three hours for the results to be reported in.

He says his camp is also hearing reports of other alleged irregularities on other reserves, and he wants an investigation.

Some of the other allegations include the posting of Liberal posters and pamphlets in voting areas.

Harrison also says he’s hearing reports on some reserves that band members were told to vote Liberal or risk losing social assistance cheques they receive from their band.