Winnipeg advance voting station evacuated due to dangerous downed power lines

Hours after Mayor Brian Bowman declared a local state of emergency, downed power lines forced the evacuation of anadvance voting station in a Winnipeg riding Sunday evening, Elections Canada says.

The Winnipeg Centre voting station in Wolseley is closed until further notice due to live electrical lines in the parking lot.

Staff and electors have been safely evacuated from advance polls at station 613 located at Robert A. Steen Community Centreat980 Palmerston Ave, according to a press release from Elections Canada.

"We ask electors to stay away from this location," the release stated.

In total, 13 polls in Manitoba are currentlyclosed or have been moved to new locations due tothe October snowstorm, asof 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, including one other Winnipeg location in theSaint BonifaceSaint Vital riding.

Most of the closed polls are beyond the Manitoba capital, including:

• Four inChurchillKeewatinook Aski.
• Three inDauphinSwan RiverNeepawa.
• One in PortageLisgar.
• Three inSelkirkInterlakeEastman.

"The Chief Electoral Officer has authorized the closing of certain polling places in Manitoba due to power outages caused by winter conditions," said Elections Canada. Its website has a list ofweather-related closures which is regularly updated.

"Before heading to a polling place, make sure it is safe to do so."