Election Commission Now Ready for NS Call

The Chief Electoral Officer says Nova Scotia is ready for an election. Richard Temporale said despite challenges over the past two years, Elections Nova Scotia (ENS) is now prepared for an election call.

His report says ENS faced legislative uncertainty, a year’s delay in funding, and the challenges of the pandemic.

The report suggests the next election — the 41st — might look different from the past. It says there will be precautions for COVID, new early voting options, and potential challenges with election night vote counting.

Temporale says, “In the absence of a fixed date for the election, Elections Nova Scotia must anticipate the earliest date on which a provincial general election may be called and plan and budget accordingly”

The next provincial election must be called no later than next spring but it could come anytime before that, as only the premier can decide.

ENS previously identified challenges facing election readiness planning in reports published on November 6, 2019 and January 7, 2021. All the election readiness update reports are available on the ENS website. The latest report published today is attached for your convenience.

ENS is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports to the members of the House of Assembly through the Speaker. Its mandate is to deliver provincial elections impartially and professionally.

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