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Image: Supplied by Lewis Point / Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point has filed a motion to withdraw from the race, citing an investigation into a medical matter.
Fall election

Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point files motion to withdraw from fall election

Sep 28, 2022 | 2:15 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point has notified the Chilliwack chief election officer and the third-party election organization with which he is affiliated, Parents Voice B.C., of his intent to withdraw.

Point indicated in an email Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 28) that he has a pressing medical matter and must exit the race.

“Upon further investigation into a personal medical matter, I have withdrawn from the electoral race for school board trustee,” said Point, a software developer with Nasheela. “I have informed both ‘Parents Voice’ and the chief electoral officer of Chilliwack, that I have withdrawn from both.”

Point said he was elated to have even been nominated but regretted his decision to withdraw.

“I am honored to have even been nominated and regret I cannot complete this election process and campaign,” Point said. “I greatly appreciate the support and hope that many will turn out to vote this October 15, 2022.”

Point, a former Aboriginal Fisheries peace officer who later worked as a software engineer with Microsoft, said he previously wanted the school district to focus more on academics.

Jacqueline Morgan, chief election officer for the City of Chilliwack, said Wednesday she was not sure if Point’s name would still appear on the ballot for Chilliwack school board candidates. She said a final decision on the matter would be up to the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Part 3 of the Local Government Act says up until 4 p.m. on the 29th day before general voting day, a person who has been nominated may withdraw from being a candidate in the election by delivering a signed withdrawal to the chief election officer.

However, after the deadline, a candidate may withdraw only by delivering to the chief election officer a sign request to withdraw and receiving the approval of the minister. The chief election officer must notify the minister of a request to withdraw as soon as practicable after receiving it.

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