Comparative Evaluation of Ranking Results and Actual Election Results

The FDA’s evaluation and ranking/grading of the 2008 Kootenay-Columbia candidates is an outside perspective of how Kootenay-Columbia citizens, candidates, parties, and individuals outside of the region, can view the 2008 Kootenay-Columbia election results. Also, the evaluation process is an example of evaluating as an addition to voting.

The FDA’s ranking/grading of the Kootenay-Columbia candidates:

1. Aitchison (Liberal) (60.4% grade)

1. Abbott (Conservative) (60.4% grade)

2. Pendleton (NDP) (57.9% grade)

Actual election results:

1. Abbott (Conservative) (59.59% of vote)

2. Pendleton (NDP) (22.64% of vote)

3. Aitchison (Liberal) (7.75% of vote)

60.5% of the Kootenay-Columbia voting public voted (Elections Canada), which means 39.5% of the voting public did not vote.

Analysis:

There is clear discrepancy between the FDA’s results and that of the actual election.

The FDA study is an evaluation and ranking/grading of the Kootenay-Columbia candidates based on their backgrounds and visions, and policies of the candidates’ political parties. The study is not a prediction or poll of how the Kootenay-Columbia region would vote.

Moreover, the FDA study is limited to three key policies of the federal political parties—economy, environment, and foreign policy. It does not evaluate, for example, health policy and the parties’ make-up including membership and leadership. Also, the study does not evaluate the incumbency factor. Though Mr. Abbott’s extensive political experience is acknowledged with a high score for his background (80%).

The FDA believes that the evaluation of the backgrounds, visions, and three key policy areas, gives a reasonable indication of how the candidates compare. Hence, it is the conclusion of the FDA that the Kootenay-Columbia election was flawed, in that it should have been closer than the large winning gap by Mr. Abbott. The gap alone of 26.95% between first and second place, was more than the second place received in actual percentage of votes. (22.64%), This discrepancy may be attributed to the incumbency factor (Mr. Abbott with five consecutive terms in office) and voter apathy in learning about the other candidates, partly attributed to the short duration of the election (36 days).

Was democracy served in the Kootenay-Columbia election? It is questionable because Mr. Abbott stood out from the other candidates only in his political experience (including ability to communicate), while Mr. Pendleton had the stronger leadership ability and vision, and Mrs. Aitchison had stronger policies via the Liberal Party. Moreover, the voter turnout of 60.5% is an indication of a problematic political system. It means that more people did not vote (39.5%), than those who voted for Mr. Abbott (36.07%). Hence, the mandate of Mr. Abbott for the Kootenay-Columbia region is limited, in that he has the support of only 36.07% of the Kootenay-Columbia region, while 65.93% of the region did not support him.