Federal Court rejects Tory effort to prevent overturning of election results

OTTAWA – The Federal Court has rejected a bid by the Conservatives to prevent federal election results in a handful of tightly contested ridings from being overturned.

The Tories argued in court last month that an application by the Council of Canadians to review the May 2011 election results in seven ridings is baseless and too late.

But in its ruling today, the court found no reason to reject the application — at least not at this stage.

The council alleges the outcome of last year’s election was influenced by misleading or harassing phone calls — so-called “robocalling” — in seven ridings across Canada where Conservative MPs narrowly won their seats.

The court said the application raises serious issues about the integrity of Canada’s electoral process.

The seven ridings where the results are being contested are Don Valley East, Winnipeg South Centre, Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, Elmwood-Transcona, Nipissing-Timiskaming, Vancour Island North and Yukon.