Suzanne Haab has filed her nomination papers for next month’s byelection in Area C of the regional district.
The byelection is being held Feb. 25, after the B.C. Supreme Court tossed the results from October's general election when it was discovered during a recount that voters outside the electoral area were issued ballots despite being ineligible to vote.
Final results of the Oct. 15 election showed Haab, a political newcomer, winning with just a three-vote edge over the incumbent Brad Sperling, 234 to 231.
The concern with the narrow margin was whether the actual number of ineligible votes cast impacted the margin, and to what degree.
As a result, Supreme Court ruled the results couldn't be validated, meaning the position of Area C director was vacant.
Area C includes the communities of Charlie Lake, Old Fort, Baldonnel, Grandhaven, Clairmont, and Two Rivers. Sperling has also refiled his nomination for the byelection.
This will not be a run-off election between the two candidates from October's ballot, but a full byelection, which means new candidates could also put their names forward, if they wish.
“The Peace River Regional District continues its commitment to upholding the democratic process and ensuring that elections are conducted in accordance with legislated procedures," the regional district said in a news release Tuesday.
Prospective candidates must file all required nomination documents to Chief Election Officer Janet Prestley by 4 p.m. on Jan. 20.
To learn more, visit the PRRD's website.
— with files from Dave Lueneberg
