WINNIPEG

Manitoba New Democrats may allow remote voting for leadership

The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, January 20, 2015 4:20PM CST Last Updated Tuesday, January 20, 2015 4:22PM CST

NDP leadership candidate Steve Ashton speaks in Winnipeg, Man. on Jan.20 , 2015.

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WINNIPEG - Manitoba's governing New Democrats may backtrack on a rule for their March 8 leadership vote.

The NDP council -- the party's governing body -- has called a special meeting for Sunday to consider overturning a requirement that all delegates must vote in person.

The rule was set by the party executive last weekend, and was quickly denounced by some northern residents and many members of the NDP caucus.

One of the three leadership candidates, Steve Ashton, said delegates from remote communities can sometimes pay hundreds of dollars or more to attend the Winnipeg convention.

Ashton and others have pushed for options such as mail-in ballots or satellite voting stations.

The other leadership candidates, Greg Selinger and Theresa Oswald, also support the move to allow northern residents to participate without having to travel to Winnipeg.