BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai is being investigated by the party for a potential breach of the B.C. Elections Act for comments made by a friend in an Instagram live video according to a party spokesperson.
"The BC NDP’s Election CEO is aware of the allegations related to a potential breach of the Election Act by a declared candidate in our leadership race. As per our election rules, the CEO or their designate is empowered to investigate and adjudicate complaints," said a party spokesperson in a statement.
According to reports, during the Labour Day long weekend, Appadurai hosted a live video event over the social media platform to promote her candidacy for the leadership position to succeed Premier John Horgan. Appadurai was making a plea for people to sign up for BC NDP party membership before the September 4th deadline in order to be able to vote in the leadership election on December 3.
During the video, Appadurai’s friend and digital manager for the environmental activist group 350.org reportedly said that she would cover the cost of the $10 membership needed to vote in the party’s leadership election.
“Message me if you need the $10 because I’m happy to provide that for you,” said Ativa Jaffar during the live video event, reports said.
Paying for someone else’s membership is illegal according to the B.C. Elections Act. If Jaffar had paid for anyone’s membership, it would be in violation of the Act.
The investegation is currently on going and it is unclear when things will be resolved. The party has reached out to Appadurai's campaign as part of the investigation; however, the candidate has not submitted an application to the BC NDP according to the party's spokesperson. The party's CEO is still gathering information and hasn't made any decisions yet including whether the party refer's the matter to Elections BC
Appadurai has not responded to requests for comment.
More to come...
