Independent Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson has introduced a private members bill in the B.C. legislature to move the province's fixed election date to October from May.
He wants to see the move implemented with an election on Oct. 11, 2012.
Simpson's reasoning is that once every four years during an election, the provincial budget, normally introduced in the spring, does not get debated and passed.
"Fixed election dates give certainty to voters and are designed to prevent political control over election timing, however, holding an election in May means that every four years the provincial budget process becomes uncertain and subject to political interference," said Simpson.
His idea has received some support from the B.C. Liberal and NDP opposition, although normally private members bills don't succeed.
Simpson, who was removed from the NDP caucus in 2010 by then-leader Carole James, decided to sit as an independent MLA.
Moving the fixed election date to the fall would also give the public access to the Comptroller General's assessment of the government's finances, which is published in June, said Simpson.
He said he's proposed the first election be held in 2012 because new Premier Christy Clark and NDP opposition leader Adrian Dix appear keen to go to the polls sooner or later.
The next election is currently scheduled for May 2013.
