Surrey community group makes allegations of voter fraud

A community group in Surrey, B.C.,wants RCMPto investigate allegations of voter fraud that could impact the upcoming municipal election.

Wake Up Surrey, an organizationthat does social outreach work with Surrey's South Asian community, sent a letter to Surrey RCMP on Friday. The groupalleges that peopleare requesting absentee ballots and voting illegally by forging voter signatures or telling the voter who to vote for.

Spokesperson Sukhi Sandhusaid the group received numerous phone calls and inquiries over the past week from individuals saying they or someone they knew had been targeted.

"Wefelt it was out moral duty to inform the RCMP right away," said Sandhu."Sadly, there is a group that is aligned with one or more campaigns that has put together a scheme to undermine our democracy in this upcoming election."

Sandhu did not say who he thinks that group is. He did say people in the South Asian community are involved.

'A shadow of doubt'

RajeshJayaprakash, mayoral candidatefor People First Surrey, said he and his party are not involved in any wrongdoing.

Jayaprakeshsaid he appreciates Wake Up Surrey for coming forward, but he takes issue with Wake Up Surrey singling out the South Asian community.

"Whether the allegation is true or not, it casts a shadow of doubt and shame on the South Asian community in general," Jayaprakash said.

He said the name of the community should never have been publicized. Jayaprakeshthinks an RCMP investigation would be more effective if the suspected group had been kept a secret.

But Sandhudisagreed.

"This is South Asian people doing this. Let's call a spade a spade," Sandhu said, reacting toPeople First Surrey's concern.

In a statement released Saturday, Proudly Surrey Party mayoral candidate Pauline Greavesreacted to the fraud allegations by callingfor an immediate suspension of all mail-in voting in Surrey.

RCMPhas yet to confirm with CBC News if they plan on investigating the allegations.