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Province of British Columbia: Referendum Information Office Now Open For B.C. VotersFeb 03, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Ministry of Attorney General 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 British Columbia use to elect members to the provincial Legislative Assembly? . 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. CONTACT: Dave Townsend, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Attorney General Tel: +1 250 387 4962 Tel: +1 250 889 5945 WWW: http://www.gov.bc.ca Neil Reimer, Director, Referendum Information Office Tel: +1 250 387 1612 M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |