Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Although I appreciate Mr. Dewar's support for the motion, I think as a matter of practice and fact he's incorrect in his assumption that this would have no efficacy. When we were discussing section 17 of the Elections Act, the Chief Electoral Officer did draw our attention to the fact that these are powers to be used in extraordinary circumstances. He stated he didn't feel the circumstances were extraordinary.
Surely a measure that the circumstances are extraordinary is the fact that the relevant committee of Parliament has asked him to exercise these powers. He looks for signs, and in this case, leaving these things entirely to his sole discretion as opposed to giving oversight to that body of Parliament, which is the most senior body capable of meeting at this time, would be an incorrect way I think of dealing with extraordinary circumstances as they arise.
We are attempting to demonstrate that in the opinion of this body this is an extraordinary circumstance. I think that is a significant message to him. One hopes that he will be receptive to it. Thus I have some hope that it will have some efficacy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.