Controversy Intensifies Over Voting With Veils

More and more confusing.  First of all, who is this Marc Mayrand?  Yes, he's Canada's Chief Electoral Officer - but who elected him and why does he think he can change a law of Parliament?  And why is there even any discussion in Parliament about it?

In a press conference yesterday, Mayrand said again that women wearing face-covering veils will be allowed to vote and, if members of Parliament don't like it, they can change the law. ( Excuse me, but I thought they already did.)

Furthermore, said Mayrand, although officials will be told to be "diligent" in asking women wearing burkas or niqabs to reveal their faces to election officials, they will be able to vote, even if they refuse.

I'm glad I didn't have to sit through the Parliamentary debate on the issue.  I probably would have run out of the building screaming.  After Maynard's news conference, an LCN all-news network commentator, Richard Martineau, suggested that people wear masks in a September 17 by-election.   Mayrand, however, said officials would turn away those who show up to vote wearing masks or bags on their heads.  Veils, however, are okay.