Banana Republic of Dannystan

The only thing missing?

The bananas.

First, the appointment of a "non-partisan" Electoral Boundaries Commission with members from all the major parties.

Then, the "non-partisan" appointment of a former cabinet minister — it seemed to have mattered, at least in Glorious Leader's eyes, that he was of a different political stripe — as Chief Electoral Officer.

Danny isn't making that mistake again.

No, sirree.

Oh, no worries, it'll still be partisan. But this time, he's keeping it in the PC family. As Terry Roberts reports for The Telegram today:

The provincial government has announced that former municipal politician and Progressive Conservative party supporter Paul Reynolds will be the new chief electoral officer and commissioner of members' interests.

Reynolds served as president of the PC party for two years in the 1980s and was part of former MP Ross Reid's campaign team.

[...]

He will replace Chuck Furey, a former Liberal cabinet minister.

[...]

Furey's appointment caused a stir when critics complained that the position should not be filled by a politician.

Eyebrows were also raised by the fact that Furey, a longtime Liberal, was appointed by a PC government.

Political allegiances appear to have been respected in this case, however.

"Political allegiances appear to have been respected in this case, however."

"Political allegiances appear to have been respected in this case, however."?

"Political allegiances appear to have been respected in this case, however."?!?!?

For the information of the last remaining person, whoever he or she is, who cares about such niceties:

5. It is the duty of the Chief Electoral Officer

(a) to exercise general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of elections and to enforce on the part of election officers fairness, impartiality and compliance with this Act;

Maybe that can be accomplished by a former President of the government party, and a close political ally of a senior official in that governing party's government.

But in the 21st century, the public should never have been placed in a position where it has to wonder.