On the Hustings and Other Election Facts

EDITORS: This is the sixth in a series of feature material provided by Communications Nova Scotia as voters prepare to cast ballots in the March 24 general election.

By Communications Nova Scotia Staff

THE CANDIDATES' LIST
When nominations for candidates closed at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 163 names had made it onto the list.

The three main political parties are represented in all 52 ridings. Seven candidates are running as independents. Thirty candidates are women.

Nova Scotians can nominate themselves for election. The nomination paperwork includes the signatures of at least five qualified voters who support the candidate, as well as a $100 deposit. A candidate who represents an official party also includes a letter of endorsement from that party's leader.

ON THE HUSTINGS
The expression "on the hustings" has its roots in the British electoral process.

The hustings was a raised platform used until 1872 for the nomination of candidates for the British Parliament and for election speeches.

Today, the expression describes the proceedings or locale of an election campaign.

REMOVING BARRIERS
When securing sites for polling stations, returning officers scour their constituency for premises accessible to disabled voters.

This election, 93 per cent of the approximately 2,500 polling stations are barrier free.

In addition, the special poll March 12-14 and the advance poll March 20-21 are held in premises accessible to voters with disabilities.

Lists of polling stations that are not accessible are appearing in Nova Scotia daily newspapers. Voters may also call their constituency returning office for information on polls.

AT THE END OF THE DAY
Time-squeezed voters on election day must ensure they're at least at the polling station before 7 p.m. if they hope to vote.

At that time, the deputy returning officer is to take note of any voters who may be waiting to cast a ballot. The polls stay open for them to do so.

A person arriving after 7 p.m. won't be permitted to vote.

QUALIFIED TO VOTE
To be eligible to vote in Nova Scotia, a person must be 18 years of age on or before election day and a Canadian citizen or British subject.

There's also a residency requirement: a voter must have lived in Nova Scotia in the six months immediately before the election call -- since Aug. 12, 1997, in this election -- and in the polling division the date the writs were issued -- on Feb. 12, 1998.

In the 1993 provincial election, more than 655,000 Nova Scotians were eligible to vote.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For repeats of earlier election features listed below, please e-mail <[email protected].>
Feb. 17 -- Enumerators: Coming to Your Door Soon
Feb. 20 -- Nova Scotia Elections: The Way We Were
Feb. 25 -- The Right Writs and Other Election Facts
Feb. 27 -- No More MLAs and Other Election Facts
March 5 -- Returning Officers: Keeping Things Organized