The Superior Court on Wednesday annulled the decision of the Chief Electoral Officer (DGEQ) to reject the candidacy of Harley Lounsbury in the riding of Matane-Matapédia.
Posted at 9:35 p.m.
Updated at 9:47 p.m.
“I am happy with the court’s decision, which confirms that we have indeed submitted 125 compliant applications. This is a great victory for democracy. Liberal voters in Matane-Matapédia will be able to exercise their right to vote on October 3,” party leader Dominique Anglade said on Twitter on Wednesday evening.
Harley Lounsbury wanted to run as a candidate for the Quebec Liberal Party in the October 3 Quebec election. On Saturday, less than 30 minutes after the close of nominations, the returning officer for the riding of Matane-Matapédia announced to Mr. Lounsbury that he had rejected his candidacy.
In the justification sent by e-mail, it could be read that “the agents did not affix their initials and their signatures in the places provided”.
Saturday, Dominique Anglade had deemed the situation “unacceptable” for his organization. It was the first time since its recent history that the PLQ did not present a candidate in all the ridings.
The Court finally quashed the decision on Wednesday, ruling that it was unreasonable for the Returning Officer to dismiss Mr. Lounsbury’s candidacy because he had failed to write his initials on the declaration of candidacy.
With Fanny Lévesque, The Press