Can someone please explain to me how the Premier of Alberta recommending appointments of election Returning Officers is appropriate on any level?
Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach said he doesn’t believe the Tory connections are a problem, especially since all returning officers are picked by the chief electoral officer.
“They’re all interviewed by the chief electoral officer and were selected by the electoral officer,” Stelmach said Tuesday in Strathmore.But Jacqueline Roblin, spokeswoman for Elections Alberta, said the names of returning officers actually come directly from Stelmach.
“They come right from the premier’s office with these names that they are recommending that they be appointed,” she said Wednesday.
…
Roblin said candidates for returning officer jobs are interviewed by the chief electoral officer to ensure they follow provincial law. She said about half of the returning officers questioned have connections to the Tories, while the other half said they don’t have ties to any political party.
I wish someone could explain to me how Ed Stelmach doesn’t think this is an issue?
