May 18th, 2022
May 18th, 2022
The NDP is calling for Elections Ontario to immediately investigate and disqualify the Liberal candidate in Chatham-Kent-Leamington, who Steven Del Duca’s Liberals registered using what appears to be fraudulent documentation on May 12.
All candidates must submit 25 signatures of electors living within the riding supporting their nomination. The Liberals appear to have instead submitted the original names, addresses and signatures collected by now-ditched candidate Alec Mazurek, and attached them to the nomination papers for Audrey Festeryga.
The NDP has reviewed the registration information on the nomination papers filed by the Liberals in Chatham-Kent-Leamington. The documentation includes signatures for the previous candidate for the Liberals, Alec Mazurek, and not for Audrey Festeryga. Elections Ontario states clearly on the form that these signatures and addresses must be for the specified candidate.
Elections Ontario’s returning officer did not allow photocopies or photos of the documents, but the submitted forms are available to be reviewed by the media at the Elections Ontario returning office in Chatham.
The signatures are dated May 11, a day before the Liberals tried to nominate Festeryga. The NDP has confirmed the signatures were witnessed by Mazurek, the former candidate, and at least one document was dated May 8.
Steven Del Duca must be accountable for how he and the Liberals approved the use of apparently false or improper documentation to support Festeryga’s candidacy, apparently misleading Elections Ontario.
Elections Ontario must immediately investigate the Liberal candidate’s compliance with election law, and if proven, must disqualify the Liberal candidate in the riding and ensure all voters are informed of the improper registration.
A copy of the NDP’s letter to Elections Ontario is attached.