More than 210 names are now on the ballot for the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection in Alberta.

Last Monday when there were 132 names on the ballot Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the names flooding the ballot amounted to a “blatant abuse” of democracy.

The majority of candidates are sponsored by the Longest Ballot Committee which is using the ballot protest to make a point about changing the electoral system.

Pierre Poilievre needs to win the byelection in order to have a seat in the House of Commons after the Longest Ballot Committee also sponsored a protest ballot in his riding, which he lost, during the federal election and which contained 91 names.

Today is the close of nominations for the byelection which is set for August 18th.