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In Quebec, Hijab-wearing candidates will be able to run for elections without removing their headscarves or showing theirhair, announced Tuesday, February the 20th, the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec, Pierre Reid, reports Le Devoir.
In fact, women wearing the hijab, chador and Sikh turbans can submit their candidacies, while the niqab and burka-wearing women will still be banned.
The Electoral office has indicated that it updated its regulations dating back to 1980, and which obliges candidates to show their shoulders, front and head when taking the photo attached to their candidacy file.
Several political groups like Quebec Solidaire (QS) and the Green Party felt that this regulation was discriminatory.
In 2014, a veiled candidate from the Green Party, Fatimata Sow, had wanted to run in the riding of La Pinière (Montérégie region), but her candidacy was refused by the electoral office. This year, this candidate «could be accepted», confirmed Pierre Reid.
For his part, Quebec Prime Minister Philippe Couillard said that it is up to voters to choose among several candidates. «Let's not be paternalistic towards citizens by deciding for them who should be elected,» he added.
