Elections Canada offices open on Christmas
Last Updated: Sunday, December 25, 2005 | 3:33 PM ET
CBC News
The returning officers headquarters in each of the 308 federal ridings were to open for four hours on Sunday, starting at noon local time.
Elections Canada officials said they opened their doors in order to serve people who want to vote by special ballot in the election.
The special ballots, which do not have candidates' names, can be mailed in or dropped off at the office of a returning officer in the riding where the voter has registered.
Special ballots are used by people who cannot or do not want to vote at a polling station in advance polls or on Election Day.
They include Canadians who will be out of the country during the election, such as snowbirds who winter south of the border and Canadian Forces troops stationed overseas.
Officials said the returning officers headquarters would also open for a few hours on Jan. 1.
Special ballot voting kits can also be picked up any weekday during regular business hours at returning offices in each riding or ordered through the Elections Canada website.
Advance polls have been scheduled for Jan. 13, Jan. 14 and Jan. 16.
