Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives will begin casting their ballots for a new leader on Friday in an online process some candidates are challenging over worries the outcome will be tainted by false memberships and vote-rigging. The campaigns of former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford and political newcomer Caroline Mulroney have flagged concerns with the team running the PC Party’s leadership contest, saying a number of fraudulent memberships could have been purchased in recent weeks with prepaid credit cards. They also say a number of party members are still waiting to receive the paperwork they need to register to vote.
Mr. Ford’s campaign is asking the party to ditch its online-voting process and revert to using paper ballots owing to the complications, his spokeswoman told the Globe and Mail on Thursday. The party has admitted some people have yet to receive the unique PIN sent in the mail to each of the party’s members. The number is needed to register online and cast a ballot after voting starts on Friday morning.
“We’re hearing from thousands of people who have not received their PIN in the mail yet,” said Lyndsey Vanstone, Mr. Ford’s spokeswoman. “Because of the extreme issues with this process, we want to see the party go to paper ballots and have a regular old-fashioned vote.”
Full Article: Ontario PC leadership vote opens amid concerns over online process – The Globe and Mail.