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VICTORIA – An office to provide citizens with neutral information on the upcoming referendum on electoral reform is now up and running, Attorney General Wally Oppal announced today.
The referendum information office (RIO) official opening coincides with the start of the referendum campaign period.
During the May 12 provincial general election, the public will have the
opportunity to vote to keep the current electoral system or adopt the system
proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. The question British
Columbians will be asked in the referendum is:
Which electoral system should
·
The
existing electoral system (first-past-the-post).
·
The
single transferable vote electoral system (BC-STV) proposed by the Citizens’
Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Information on both of these systems is available on the RIO website at: www.BCreferendum2009.ca. The public can also receive information by calling toll-free to 1-800-668-2800 from anywhere in B.C. or 604 775-2800 in Vancouver. Call centre hours are Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST.
In addition to establishing the RIO, government has provided $500,000 each to two groups, British Columbians for BC-STV and No STV, to represent each side of the debate on the single transferable vote.
Elections BC, an independent office of the legislature, will administer the referendum vote, including the regulations now in force governing referendum advertising by third parties.
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contact: |
Senior Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-4962 250 889-5945 (cell) |
Director Referendum Information Office 250 387-1612 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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