UBCM implores Eby to hold off on dropping writ until after municipal elections

VANCOUVER — The Union of British Columbia Municipalities has called on Premier Eby to hold off on calling a snap election until after October 17.

President Cori Ramsay warned that overlapping campaigns will "confuse" voters and erode local democracy.

"I think the public is concerned that the potential of a second election will just cause chaos and confusion," Ramsay said following the passing of an emergency resolution imploring the BC NDP to press pause. "It’s already confusing enough, and voter turnout is low. To add a provincial campaign on top of the local campaign is just going to confuse the electorate."

She went on to warn that overlapping elections would put too much strain on journalists trying to cover all the issues with the depth and veracity they deserve.

"Newsrooms only have so much bandwidth," she said. "Overlapping elections will lead to less scrutiny, less accountability, and it’s not in the public interest. Local elections should should provide space for discussions of local priorities, without being overshadowed by concurrent provincial campaigns."

Ramsay urged Eby to "respect the local government election process, and ensure that this can continue uninterrupted."

The premier's office told Sitka Media he has "no response at this time," though he will be available to media at UBCM following his address Friday morning.

WATCH: Eby says caucus ‘election ready’ — still mum on when writ will drop

The BC NDP has a one seat majority in the legislature.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

Eby has not explicitly confirmed or denied whether he will call a snap election, only noting that he and his caucus are "election ready."