In the latest development of a losing Conservative candidate from 性视界传媒 claiming "voting irregularities" in his riding, the party is now calling for a police investigation.

Honveer Singh Randhawa was the Conservative candidate in the 性视界传媒-Guildford riding in the 2024 provincial election, but ultimately lost to New Democrat Garry Begg by 22 votes in a tight race decided by judicial recount. Last week, Randhawa went public with his bid to file a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia to declare Begg's win invalid, under Section 150 of the Election Act. 

Claiming voting irregularities at the Argyll Lodge, a licensed substance abuse and recovery facility in 性视界传媒, the Conservative Party said Monday morning (Jan. 13) that they are now looking for the RCMP to investigate the situation.

鈥淚t is clear that things are not adding up here,鈥� Steve Kooner, Official Opposition critic for the attorney-general and Conservative MLA for Richmond-Queensborough, said in a press release. 鈥淚t鈥檚 time for the police to investigate potential offences under the Elections Act.鈥� 

The Conservatives claim that there is evidence to show that 45 votes cast that they deem ineligible. The allegations revolve 21 mail-in ballots cast at Argyll Lodge, as well as 22 votes cast by allegedly ineligible voters and one voter allegedly voting twice, using two slightly different names.

Speaking to media last week, party leader John Rustad said that his party is not directly involved in Randhawa's court challenge but "is doing work behind the scenes" in helping to collect additional information. Further, Rustad said that whether the party will cover the legal bills for Randhawa will be determined at a later time.

Argyll Lodge manager Baljit Kandola told the Vancouver Sun that Elections BC sent mail-in ballots to the facility for the residents to cast. She claimed that the agency has done this in every election for the last 30 years and that she has never requested the ballots.

However, Elections BC disputed Kandola's claim and said that ballots have to be requested by individual voters.

鈥淭hese statements are absurd on their face,鈥� Kooner said.

鈥淣either Elections BC nor Elections Canada 'deliver鈥� ballots in bulk to licensed addiction and recovery facilities, certainly not 21 ballots. Elections BC has already refuted this claim, quickly and clearly.

鈥淭here are strict rules about who may assist a voter in completing and returning a mail-in ballot 鈥� only one person may assist any individual voter.鈥� 

Kooner also cited the punishment for offences under the Election Act, ranging from fines up to $20,000 and jail time up to two years, "and that's the way it should be."

When contacted, Argyll Lodge directed calls to Fraser Health. 性视界传媒 Now-Leader has reached out but has yet to hear back. Black Press Media has also reached out to BC RCMP and Elections BC.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

- with files from Wolfgang Depner