OSCE/ODIHR final report on Canada’s parliamentary elections recommends amendments to improve aspects of election administration, management of election-related complaints
While finding that Canada’s 2015 parliamentary elections demonstrated the credibility of the election process in the country, the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) also calls for amendments to electoral legislation, through an inclusive process, and recommends simplifying election day procedures and allowing more time for the recruitment of polling-station staff.
The report, published on 5 February 2016, notes that legislation provides for the comprehensive protection of electoral rights, although recent changes, passed without cross-party support, were controversial and reduced some of the election administration’s powers. It also notes that the campaign was highly competitive, took place in an open atmosphere, and results were swiftly announced and accepted. It recommends, however, that additional measures be taken to strengthen the equality of the vote between constituencies, to provide a legal basis for citizen and international election observation, to promote the increased participation of women, aboriginal peoples and minorities, and to improve the efficiency of the voting process.
The report says there is trust and confidence in the professional performance of the election administration, noting its impartiality and transparency and its notable efforts to maximize enfranchisement and provide full public information. With a view to making investigations more timely and effective, however, it recommends granting additional authority to the Commissioner of Canada Elections in dealing with election-related complaints.
To increase transparency and public confidence in campaign finance, the report recommends reviewing reporting arrangements, with the possibility of introducing public pre-election reporting.
Additional recommendations relate to amendments to electoral legislation to provide voting rights to electoral officials and to reinstating Elections Canada’s authority to undertake activities to encourage voter participation, especially among aboriginal and minority groups.