John Rustad has repeated his calls for a public inquiry into alleged "voting irregularities" in Surrey-Guildford, a riding that his party lost by just 22 votes.
The BC Conservative leader's move came on the heels of BC Greens candidate Manjeet Singh Sahota's sworn affidavit, which included claims that contradicted those which have been made by others.
In January, the BC Conservatives explained that 21 mail-in ballots were cast by residents of the Argyll Lodge, a substance abuse and recovery facility located at 14560 106A Avenue in Surrey, right across the street from a polling station.
Lodge manager Baljit Kandola, whose name matches that of a BC NDP donor, claimed that Elections BC had delivered 21 voting packages to her establishment, which is located across the road from a polling station. A number of residents denied requesting ballots or even knowing that the election was taking place, and one claimed that a third party had come to teach them how to fill in the ballot.
Elections BC refuted Kandola's claims, noting that mail-in packages are only mailed to individuals who apply for them.
In his affidavit, Sahota explained that he had visited the lodge while canvassing in the area.
"During my visit to the Lodge, I was talking to three people in front of the Lodge," he said, "and as per my collection, an Asian woman who introduced herself as caregiver for the residents of the Lodge, informed me that only sick people live at the Lodge and that they do not participate in voting."
Sahota added that, "because of my conversation with the caregiver, I was left with an impression that no one votes from the Lodge so I believe I did not leave my campaign materials there either."
"A few days later," he concluded, "I was canvassing in the same neighbourhood, and I did not revisit the house because earlier I was told that the people living at the lodge do not participate in voting."
Rustad argued that this was worth looking into.
"Once again, we see further evidence, now from the Green Party candidate in Surrey-Guildford in 2024, of serious irregularities in last years election," he said. "We need a public inquiry. The Chief Elections Officer has chosen to stick his head in the sand."