Québec City, April 6, 2001 –– In preparation for the by-election that will be held in the electoral division of Mercier on Monday, April 9^th, Mr.  Marcel Blanchet, Chief Electoral Officer of Québec, wishes to announce that a total of 144 polling stations, spread out in 18 polling places, will be open between 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on polling day.

Mr. Blanchet also announces that 42 668 electors were registered on the list of electors at the end of the regular revision period. Of that number, 810 (or 1.90% of the registered electors) took part in advance polling on April 1^st and 2^nd. The following table compares these figures with the data collected during advance polling at the time of the last two general elections in this electoral division:

^{* It should be noted that the turnout is generally lower during by-elections than at general elections.}

In conclusion, Mr. Blanchet would like to remind electors that, for the first time in a provincial poll, they will have to establish their identity to exercise their right to vote on polling day. As a result, they will have to present one of the identification documents required by the Election Act, namely their health insurance card, driver’s licence or Canadian passport.