Conservative MP Ted Opitz’s 2011 federal election win in Etobicoke Centre was declared null and void today in a challenge by former Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj. Opitz won the May 2011 election by 26 votes, but Wrzesnewskyj challenged the results over voting irregularities. The case required more than 26 votes be thrown out for it to be declared void. Conservative Party spokesman Fred Delorey said they’re disappointed with the court decision after 52,000 people in Etobicoke Centre “followed the rules, cast their ballots and today had their democratic decision thrown into doubt.”
“The judge has found problems with the way that Elections Canada ran the election in this riding,” he said in an emailed statement. “As the judge took care to point out in the decision, Ted Opitz and the Conservative campaign team followed the rules. Opitz’s office released an identical statement. Wrzesnewskyj told CBC News that the riding needs a byelection to restore democracy.
Full Article: Toronto riding’s election result tossed by judge – Politics – CBC News.