"If he is elected premier, Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair says he will amend Quebec's electoral law to make it impossible for veil-wearing Muslim women to vote without showing their faces to identify themselves.
In the latest controversy over accommodating religious minorities, Quebec electoral workers have been told that Muslim women wearing a niqab face veil will not be required to show their faces when they vote on Monday.
Under Quebec's rules, a voter has to present a photo ID before getting a ballot.
Marcel Blanchet, the province's chief electoral officer, says the exemption for niqab-wearing Muslim women is not a religious accommodation but simply falls under a general rule that says that people who show up without papers can either make a sworn statement or have another person vouch for their identity.
Mr. Boisclair said that is not acceptable."
“We won't negotiate on it. If we have to modify the Chief Electoral Officer Act, we will modify it,” Mr. Boisclair said to loud cheers Friday morning.
He boasted he was initially the only party leader to say clearly that he finds such a situation unacceptable.
“I said there is a limit that can't be crossed. We went too far,” he said.