Mummers, potato sacks and clown masks: Why people are voting in silly face coverings

Voters havebeenturning up atadvancepolling stations in Quebec and Newfoundlandover the past two days, readyto cast ballots whileclad in outrageous costumesand masks.

Under Elections Canadarules, electorsare allowed to vote while wearing a face coveringas long as they take an oath attestingthey areeligible and providetwo pieces of ID,onewhich includes a currentaddress.

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A handful ofvoters some of whom are upset over the niqab debate that has dominated the run-up to the election have shown updressedas ghosts, clowns andevenmummers; a traditional costume in Newfoundland.

Nathalie de Montigny, anElections Canadaspokeswoman, confirmed to CBC News that as long as theyfollow the rules,any elector can vote while wearing a mask,no matter how ridiculous.

"Aface covering is a face covering, it does not matter what it is," she said.

It's not clear how many have dressed up. Elections Canada records how many people take an oath, but not why.(There are many possible reasons.)

Politicizing face masks

Some are making a statement about the debate over the niqab, whichhasdivided parties andbecomea definingissue during this election campaign.

Jon Keefe, who runs a small business in St. John's, wasupset over the large role the niqabhas played in the election.

He toldCBC News he thought the debate wasa "manufactured non-issue" and wanted to do something about it.

When herealized he didn't need to show his face to vote, he put out a call on Facebooktorally people to vote "in true Newfoundland style" as a mummer.

The post prompted cheers from many, and confusion from those who thought Keefe was making light of the niqab issue.

Mummering is an Christmastradition in Newfoundland where peopledress up in strangecostumesand travel between houses for dancingand drinks. The tradition plays a large role in the province'sculture there'seven apopular MummersFestival in December that has its ownparade.

"It seemed like a great way to work in the point that there are already a lot of cultural customs across Canada that might seem bizarre or unusual to people unfamiliar with them, but we've all managed to get along pretty well so far," said Keefe.

He cast hisvote in the St. John's East ridingon Saturdayin what he calls "standard mummering attire" florescent yellow leggings, a floral dress, sunglasses and a face maskcovered in schooners.

But he had to leave his "ugly stick" a homemade musical instrument made famous by mummers at the door.

"The election staff mistakenly thought I was obliged to show my face at first, but I explained to them that it wasn't required," he said.

"They verified it on their end, and everything went smoothly after that."

Clowns, ghosts and a potato sack

Rafik Hanna donned a fullclown costume while voting inDorval, Que., a suburb of Montreal, in order tomake a statement about the current voting laws.

"Truly sad that I can vote to elect a Canadian prime minister without having to show my faceand prove my identity," he said.

For others, it wasn't asclear as why they wore masks to the polls.

One man dressed up as a ghost at aGatineau, Que. polling station, but opted to show his face instead of taking an oath. He was able to follow regular voting procedures.

A woman showed up at a polling station in Cap-Rouge, near Quebec City, wearing a potato sack on her head.

The image of her was widely shared on social media, where itgot the meme treatment. She was able to vote after taking the oath and showing her ID.