Response from Elections BC on the Patriot Party and the Advocational Party

Here is the response I got from Elections BC on the Patriot Party and the Advocational Party


Dear Bernard von Schulmann:

Thank you for your email.  Section 155 of the Election Act states that a political party is an organization that has as a primary purpose the fielding of candidates for election to the Legislative Assembly.  It does not state that it must be the only purpose of the organization.  At the time of registration, the British Columbia Patriot Party and the Advocational International Democratic Party each provided solemn declarations attesting to the fielding of candidates for election to the Legislative Assembly.  In addition, to further meet the political party registration policy, the British Patriot Party published a message in the February 25, 2001 edition of the Vernon Morning Star newspaper that indicated the organization’s commitment to field candidates in future provincial elections and the Advocational International Democratic Party provided Elections BC a copy of the Party’s constitution that indicated the organization’s commitment to field candidates in future provincial elections.

Please note that section 168(1) of the Election Act requires that a political party be deregistered following a general election, if for that general election and the immediately preceding general election, it was not represented by at least two candidates in one of the general elections.  Since neither party fielded candidates in the 2009 General Election, they must each nominate at least two candidates in the next general election to remain registered.

I trust I have addressed your concerns.

Sincerely,
Louise Sawdon
Manager, Electoral Finance
Elections BC
Phone: 250-356-2710
Toll-free: 1-800-661-8683 / TTY 1-888-456-5448
Fax: 250-387-3578
Toll-free: 1-866-466-0665
Location: Suite 100 - 1112 Fort Street, Victoria
Email: Louise.Sawdon@elections.bc.ca
Website: www.elections.bc.ca