Amendments to Improve Election Administration

The provincial government is updating the Elections Act to improve election administration in Nova Scotia.

Amendments introduced today, Nov. 17, will expand voting opportunities for Nova Scotians, enhance the integrity of the electoral system, and correct errors and ambiguities.

"It's important to update the Elections Act regularly to make sure that we are meeting the needs of both voters and candidates," said Michael Baker, Minister responsible for the Elections Act. "We also want to remove any administrative barriers that can make the process more difficult."

Among the 11 amendments proposed are provisions to:

• allow voters who move within Nova Scotia around an election to vote in the district where they live
• remove the gender and date of birth of electors from the annual consolidated list of electors provided to recognized parties
• clarify and update the rules applying to political advertising relating to an election.

Most amendments resulted from situations that arose in previous elections, where legislation was unclear or logistical problems were identified.

The principles reflected in the bill were endorsed by the Election Commission.