Unverified reports last week that a candidate was going around removing his opponent's election signs sparked conversations on social media about the repercussions for such behaviour.

Returning Officer Sharon Pollyck said hypothetically, there are consequences for any person that removes or defaces an election sign.

Pollyck explained that Airdrie's land use bylaw does speak to someone defacing or willfully damaging an election sign.

"If that were to happen, and of course we had proof as to who the person was who had done it, then there are penalties under the land use bylaw. Probably what we would do first is we would call the individual and speak with the individual, and if that did not gain any traction then we could actually proceed to violation tickets. It is $500 for first offence, $750 for second offence and $1250 for third offence. What you need to realize is every sign is a different offence."

Pollyck also said that an individual that removes election signs could be subject to a criminal code offence of theft, which would be handled by the RCMP.

Those penalties apply to anyone, but Pollyck said there aren't any specific consequences that apply to someone seeking elected office. When asked if there was anything someone could do that would disqualify them from running, Pollyck responded with an emphatic no.

"The long and short of it is no, because what happens is there are a list of qualifications for somebody to run as a candidate, and as long as they meet those qualifications, they are eligible to run."

Pollyck said the only way someone could be disqualified from an election is if the candidate was convicted of an offence under one of the Election Acts.


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