
Results from plebiscite don’t reflect will of the people: P.E.I. premier
CHARLOTTETOWN — The low turnout for Prince Edward Island’s plebiscite on electoral reform — 36 per cent — means it’s debatable whether the results can be considered a clear expression of the will of Islanders, Premier Wade MacLauchlan said Tuesday.
The premier said the results confirmed the need for the legislature to “enhance our democracy,” but he did not commit to making any changes to the existing first-past-the-post system, even though it was rejected as the best option after 10 days of online and telephone voting wrapped up late Monday.
“We certainly won’t ignore (the plebiscite),” MacLauchlan said in an interview. “This has been a major exercise in democracy for our province … The ongoing dialogue is a continuing process. We are absolutely taking to heart the plebiscite and the results.”
The non-binding vote was based on a preferential ballot system that offered voters five options to rank in order of preference.