Proposed new rules for special ballots still unfair, opposition parties claim

The provincial government will no longer allow voting by special ballot before the deadline has passed for nominating candidates, but changes limiting the nomination period have drawn ire.

Details of the bill were released on Monday morning by Justice Minister Andrew Parsons, before first reading during a special sitting of the House of Assembly. 

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The new rules would see special ballot voting only after each party had its nominees in place but it would also cut the deadline to confirm nominations to five days after the writ is dropped.

According to PC and NDP leaders, that would leave parties scrambling to come up with candidates within five days of a surprise call and that gives an unfair advantage to the ruling Liberal party.

"I think we can do more ... to benefit the legislation and the special ballot process so it's fair to everybody," said PC leader Paul Davis.

"It's only a five day period we have time to get nominations," said interim NDP leader Lorraine Michael. "That's an extremely short period of time. Right across the country, the period is longer than that."

The new legislation would also see an unlimited election period, meaning the government could call for an election in the summer, but hold it in the fall.

Both Davis and Michael said there were things in the bill they agreed with, but would like to work with government to limit the possibility for another Constitutional challenge.

Changes were necessary after the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court ruled the province's special balloting provisions violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Julie Mitchell, a candidate for the NDP in the 2015 election, launched a court challenge after she lost in Burin-Placentia West. Had special ballots not been allowed, Mitchell would have won the seat.

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador is appealing the court ruling.