In a Facebook post to his supporters, Albert Marshall says the Conservative Party refused to accept his application to become a candidate for the upcoming nomination for Haldimand-Norfolk.
Marshall says he wasn’t the only application refused by the party, saying another potential candidate was denied the opportunity to run.
Marshall adds that “this leaves Leslyn Lewis to be handed the nomination and, likely, the seat.”
Continuing, Marshall explains the Party gave a reason for their refusal to accept his candidacy- 11 minutes before the close of the nominations process.
According to Marshall, the Party (wrongly) alleged that potential candidates need a campaign bank account to pay $1000 to the Party.
Marshall explains that he didn’t have an account because he wasn’t in the campaign yet, but in the 11 minutes before the end of the nomination process, he tried to pay the $1000.
However, he says his efforts were refused.
Later, Marshall says he learned that the fee “is regularly accepted by the Party from the personal funds of potential candidates” and “no special account is needed.”
Marshall says the Party’s decision does a disservice to the democratic process and doesn’t allow local members to make a choice between candidates.
He adds that despite being the shortest nominations process in the Country, he is grateful for the support he received.
Over the coming days and weeks, Marshall says he will be considering running as an independent in the upcoming election.