By Yetunde Bada

Ms. Tony Boot, an aspirant in the upcoming Oct. 24 elections on Monday said as an after effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, campaigns this year are ‘very different’ when compared with previous election campaigns.

Boot said this during a virtual panel featuring black community leaders, activists, entrepreneurs and business analysts, who met to discuss political engagement and challenges surrounding the elections.

``Campaigns different because of COVID-19. No rallies, no fund raisers, no door to door campaigns. For someone like me who loves the interaction that is what I miss,’’ Boot said adding however that as with life, the elections must go on.

Disclosing other challenges, Boot said ``at least eight of my signs have been broken apparently by vehicles, while other signs are still standing’’.

Boot, currently mayor of Summerland, is contesting as a Member of the Legislative Assembly on the NDP platform.

Other speakers at the panel include Mr. Shamarke Dubow, a city councilor and Minister Anne Kang.

The panel, which had 35 participants, was hosted by the ISSAMBA Center and supported by the Canadian Red Cross and Government of Canada.

Elections BC spokesman Andrew Watson has disclosed that employees in 87 electoral districts will count mail-in ballots one by one. More than 700,000 votes have been cast.