Nova Scotia’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is Richard P. Temporale.
Mr. Temporale was appointed to this position in June 2012 and had been the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer at Elections Nova Scotia since September 2008. Before that, he was with Elections Ontario in several capacities including director, corporate services and manager of elections officials. He also worked in municipal elections with the City of Toronto.
As head of Elections Nova Scotia, the CEO is accountable to the House of Assembly. The CEO provides independent, non-partisan, strategic advice on election-related matters and best practices in accordance with the terms of the Elections Act, and relevant laws. The CEO supervises the conduct of elections and provides leadership on other Elections Nova Scotia programs, services, operations and infrastructure.
The CEO administers provincial general elections and by-elections and keeps voters and candidates aware of their rights and responsibilities. It is the CEO’s responsibility to ensure that election officers act with fairness and impartiality, and in compliance with election laws (Elections Act, and House of Assembly Act). The CEO also receives annual statements from all recognized parties and their associations, regarding the political contributions they received and the tax receipts they issued.
During a provincial general or by-election, the CEO has specific powers to: