A legal battle is brewing in Vancouver as civic election candidates face off over the use of their English and foreign names on the ballot. The dispute arose when five candidates from ABC Vancouver and two from OneCity had their nomination papers questioned by the city’s chief election officer, Jason Twa, for listing names in both English and Chinese characters.
Lenny Zhou, a council candidate from ABC, defended his use of his Chinese name, emphasizing its significance as part of his identity for over four decades. Similarly, Lorraine Lowe, another ABC candidate, highlighted the recognition she has received for her work under her Chinese name, Lau Dui Ming.
According to the Vancouver Charter, candidates have the option to display their usual names on the ballot, but Twa can challenge this if he believes the name provided is not the candidate’s regular name. OneCity candidate Iona Bonamis and the affected candidates are preparing to present evidence, asserting that they regularly use their Chinese names in their daily lives.
This issue surfaced in the previous civic election, leading to a case adjournment due to time constraints, allowing candidates to retain their desired names on the ballots. Bonamis raised concerns that using only English names could deter non-English-speaking voters, stressing the importance of inclusivity in civic participation.
The candidates are now gearing up for a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning to address the challenge and resolve the dispute surrounding the use of their names on the ballot.
