@Laura_Payton is back in Federal Court this morning as arguments continue in a legal challenge of 2011 election results brought by eight voters. Conservative lawyer Arthur Hamilton is responding to the challenge, which is seeking new elections in six ridings won by Conservatives. The challengers, backed by the Council of Canadians, allege widespread voter suppression in the last election.
by Chris Carter 12/14/2012 2:11:53 PM
Ted Frankel, lawyer for the CPC MPs, is continuing making his case at Federal Court right now. We also expect to hear from Elxns Cda today.
Dr. Ruth Corbin is eminently qualified to critique Ekos pollster Frank Graves' affidavit, Frankel says, picking up on judge's Q fr yesterday
You don't need to know finer points of social science. Common sense says survey can't be trusted, Frankel says.
Can't have situation where we have elxn, there's certainty, but then get into duelling experts and duelling polls, Frankel said.
Can't make it as easy as electronic survey, gather results and head to court, he adds.
Frankel says Graves is not an expert in vote suppression. Mentioned has little expertise in voter suppression in cross-examination.
DW points out that MPs unanimously passed NDP motion last spring to bring in legislation on this issue. CPC won't say when it'll happen.
Democracy Watch says just now in a statement that Canada needs laws banning false election robocalls and tougher penalties.
Legislation was due by Sept, according to the motion. Gov't only says it's coming "in due course" when we ask.
Frankel says the survey @VoiceOfFranky did by IVR (interactive voice response) is contrary to gov't of Canada standards.
Frankel says survey respondents weren't told who sponsored survey or that participation was voluntary.
Frankel reads Graves answer fr cross-exam: GoC guidelines irrelevant because survey not for them. Not industry regulations.
Survey didn't include options for "don't know" or "don't recall," Frankel says. "It invites guessing."
Hitting 1 repeatedly, Frankel says, would choose answers saying that respondent got call about polling stn changing and it came from CPC.
Graves found 0.5% of vote suppressed, Frankel says,but 2x that to correct 4 "social desirability effect":ppl embarassed to admit not voting
But that doesn't make sense with anon survey and no survey taker, Frankel says.
Frankel says Graves found 39 ppl had votes suppressed but 20 had first said who they voted for. So diff answers to diff questions.
Frankel says it's hard to remember whether you've been contacted by survey firms or political parties re: for whom you will vote.
Judge asks whether we know how probable it is you will get a survey call. Frankel says he doesn't think that's in evidence.