Most bad ballots from francophones, analysis reveals

[Leafless]

As Conservative fortunes rose during the 2006 election campaign, the riding of Louis-Hébert in Quebec City was seen as one the party had a chance of poaching from the Bloc Québécois as the Tories strove for a breakthrough in the province.

Louis-Hébert was not the tightest race in the country, but it was among five ridings where the margin of victory was smaller than the number of ballots rejected by returning officers -- 414.

Rejected ballots are a part of every election. Ballots are disqualified for any number of reasons: They can be set aside if more than one candidate is marked, if the voter's name is written on it, or if it is left blank. Since 1980, just under one per cent of all votes cast in federal elections have been rejected.

But a Citizen analysis of voting records reveals an unusual trend: Ballots are rejected at a substantially higher rate in ridings that, like Mr. Harvey's, have large francophone populations.

As the Bloc Québécois runs candidates only in Quebec, there is also a strong tie between rejected ballots and ridings where the Bloc competes.

How to explain the link between rejected ballots and language? Could there be something inherent in the design of Canada's ballots that confuses francophones?

Do separatist Quebecers intentionally spoil their ballots as a form of protest?

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...25c88a5&p=1

The same article suggest utilizing alternative voting technology.

But why go to all this expense to ensure Quebec separatist votes count when we all are aware that if they wish to protest, they simply will not vote period.

Only in Canada you say....Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.