David Eby will officially be declared the leader of the B.C. New Democratic Party on Friday, clearing the way for him to be sworn in as premier.
A statement from the party’s chief electoral officer Elizabeth Cull says after the executive’s decision last night to disqualify the only other candidate, Anjali Appadurai, she will declare Eby the new leader.
Premier John Horgan had said he would leave in December, but Cull says she might adjust the election date as there is now only one candidate.
Horgan, who announced his retirement earlier this year, congratulated Eby during a news conference on Thursday.
“This has been a difficult road for everyone, some challenges along the way to be sure, but I am confident that the work of the table officers and the executive of the B.C. NDP have been thorough … [and] exhaustive,” he said.
“I’m proud David Eby will be the next premier of British Columbia.”
Eby, the former attorney general and housing minister in B.C., will only be declared party leader on Friday. He will be sworn in as premier at a later date.
Investigation into Appadurai campaign
Appadurai was disqualified late Wednesday after a report by Cull found she “engaged in serious improper conduct” by working with third parties, including the environmental group Dogwood B.C., for membership drives on her behalf.
Cull also concluded that Dogwood solicited “fraudulent memberships” by encouraging members of other political parties to join the B.C’s New Democrats so they could vote in the race.
Appadurai and Dogwood deny any rules were broken.
A former federal NDP candidate and longtime activist, Appadurai launched her campaign in August with an emphasis on tackling environmental and human rights issues.
Horgan said Thursday she would have been “a welcome addition” to the party and that the violation of campaign rules was “disappointing.”
“Enthusiasm and vigour are welcomed in the NDP, but you have to follow the rules,” he said.
“This isn’t how anybody wanted this [race] to roll, but I think it’s a cautionary tale for all of us.”
Earlier Thursday, cheers and clapping were heard from outside the NDP morning caucus meeting in Victoria as Eby spoke to the caucus virtually.
Ravi Kahlon, Eby’s campaign co-chairman, told reporters afterwards that the party has been through a difficult process but is united behind Eby.
WATCH | Eby says he trusts NDP leadership process after Appadurai disqualified:
The official in charge of the B.C. NDP’s leadership race has recommended candidate Anjali Appadurai be disqualified after an investigation into a wave of new membership sign-ups during the campaign, leaving David Eby as the only person in the running. Eby says he is confident the party’s process is fair.