Protests in Canada at decision to allow niqab-wearing women to vote without revealing identity

Following confirmation by authorities in Canada that women who show up to vote wearing a niqab won't be forced to remove it to reveal their identity, there have been protests on the first day of advance polling.



People wearing a face covering will be asked to sign an oath attesting to their eligibility and to present two pieces of identification, at least one having a current address.



One man from Dorval went to vote in a clown costume and claimed he was able to vote without removing his mask. He said an officer asked him to take an oath to confirm his identity. "Truly sad that I can vote to elect a Canadian prime minister without having to show my face and prove my identity," said Rafik Hanna.



A woman arrived a polling station in Cap-Rouge, near Quebec City, wearing a potato sack on her head. It was later confirmed that she was able to cast her ballot after swearing an oath. And in Gatineau, a man showed up to vote at the Centre Communautaire Le Baron dressed as a ghost. But rather than take an oath, he said he showed his face to confirm his identity.