91原创 Liberal MLA Mary Polak said fixed election dates would have allowed the province to be ready for an election next autumn.

Now voters, candidates, and parties are scrambling with the election call for Oct. 24.

Polak, first elected in 2005, said it鈥檚 not a complete surprise that Premier John Horgan dropped the writ because 鈥渢hey鈥檝e [the NDP] been dancing around this for quite some time.鈥�

But she鈥檚 disappointed because NDP MLAs and others stood in the Legislature in the spring and said they were committed to the concept of fixed election dates.

Polak said more importantly, it would have happened next autumn when society has a better handle on COVID-19.

As it stands, a 2020 election will be unlike any voters have ever experienced.

Polak said the pandemic precludes in-person campaigning, public townhalls and other such gatherings, especially since case numbers are rising.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to mean a lot more use of technology. Lots of phone calls,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut it also means the date of voting will be somewhat different.鈥�

The Liberals say they will go to a great deal of effort to educate that voters that while general election day is Oct. 24, voters can cast ballots throughout the election period and how they would go about that.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to make sure people know that,鈥� Polak said.

The pandemic will impact every aspect of a traditional election campaign.

There will be no main-streeting, she noted. While there is some discussion about whether to do door-knocking, she said she鈥檚 not comfortable doing that.

鈥淚t will be largely a technological campaign,鈥� Polak commented.

She added that the Liberals are already having conversations about their concerns over technology and whether that will leave out certain groups.

鈥淭here are people like our seniors who are not as comfortable with technology so how do you reach them,鈥� she said.

BC now has the highest number of active cases per capita in Canada - NOT the right time for an election! Epidemiological summary of COVID-19 cases in Canada -

鈥� Mary Polak (@maryforbc)

A set election date would have allowed election officials and parties to plan for such things to hopefully overcome barriers to voting.

As well, an election during the pandemic means key policy work and decision making cannot get done because all the government ministers are off campaigning. That removes any government nimbleness to deal with the changing situation.

鈥淵ou have shut down government effectively for the next 32 days,鈥� Polak said.

Despite the challenges, Polak wants to continue as 91原创鈥檚 MLA. Since being elected first in 2005, she鈥檚 been minister of environment, minister of transportation and infrastructure, and minister of children and families, among other duties.

She said she is running this time for the same reason she ran 15 years ago 鈥� 鈥淭he main reason you get involved in the first place, is the same reason you stay. You want to help people,鈥� Polak said.

Conservatives

The 91原创 BC Conservatives Association plans to run candidates in both the 91原创 and 91原创 East ridings.

鈥淲e will have candidates in both ridings, and they will be announced in the next few days,鈥� said

Justin Greenwood, president of the Conservative Party of BC.

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鈥� WATCH for updates from the various parties鈥�

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