The Elections Office is urging all candidates, supporters, and voters to uphold the integrity of the electoral process following reports of vote-buying and voter harassment during the ongoing election period.

Recent allegations suggest that some candidates or their supporters may be offering gifts, food cards, appliances, or even money in exchange for votes. The Elections Office reminds the public that such practices are illegal under the Elections Act. Offering or accepting any form of inducement intended to influence voting decisions is a serious election offence.

Any voter who, either before or during an election, accepts, agrees to accept, or makes a deal to receive money, gifts, loans, jobs, or any other benefit — either for themselves or for someone else — in return for voting, agreeing to vote, not voting, or agreeing not to vote, is committing an offence under the Elections Act.