Nova Scotia’s chief electoral officer says ballot secrecy needs strengthening

HALIFAX – Elections Nova Scotia says it will call for legislative amendments to ensure ballot secrecy after the case of a man who photographed his marked vote and posted it on social media.

Nova Scotia’s chief electoral officer says the act is a breach of the province’s Elections Act and a fundamental principle of free elections _ the secret ballot _ is challenged by such an offence.

But Richard Temporale says a review of the case after it was investigated by the RCMP concluded there wasn’t a likelihood of conviction.

Temporale did not identify the man in the case, but Parker Donham, a communications consultant and political blogger, tweeted that Temporale told him today that he would not be charged.

Donham posted a picture of his ballot in last year’s provincial election to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The act says nobody in a polling station during voting hours can use a recording or communication device with the exception of election officers.

But Donham has said he doesn’t believe he violated the act because it doesn’t clearly state that cameras are not allowed.

Donham has also said that he was exercising his freedom of speech.

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