Inside Elections Canada: 5 things you need to know

Long lineups at advance polling stationshas caused some voters to lose faith in Elections Canada, particularly when it comes to the non-partisan organization's ability to carry out the election on October 19.

But a political scienceprofessor saysElections Canada is more thancapable of doing its job.

"It is an organization that is prepared for that, and in fact it isusually over prepared for that day," said GeraldBaier, professor of political science at the University of British Columbia.

Baier says this federal election's advance voter turnout was unanticipated, but here is why the organization is well equipped to handle things on voting day:

1.It'sdifferent on Election Day

"I don't think they knew so many people would be wanting to vote in advance," he said.

Baiersays the organization is one that learns from experience and he expects it will be better prepared for advance polls in future elections.

Elections Canada is a fairly small organization on non-election years. Usually there are 500 staff on hand but during elections that number grows to 250,000, saidBaier.

On election day there will be four times the number of polling locations, says Baier.

2. It has full independence

Despite some concerns that the office falls under the current government's orders, Baier says it has genuine independence.

"It falls under no government ministry. It is an independentoffice of parliament," he said.

Elections Canada's Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by parliament and serves a 10-year non-renewable term in office.

"[The chief] can only be removed for just cause by joint vote of the Senate and the House of Commons," he said.

3. It can ask for more money

The organization gets money directlyfrom parliament.

Elections Canada can ask for more money if it will help witheffectively administeringthe election. It doesn't needparliament or government to approve it, saidBaier.

4. It will carry out an audit

Elections Canada has to give a report of its administration of elections. Baier trusts that the administrations' independence is well established enough to not require an outside audit.

"There is no ministry, no government to report to, no secret documents. Everything Elections Canada does is pretty open and transparent," he said.

5. It's a changing world

Elections Canada received a $7.5 million budget cut back in 2012. But Baier says the cut which accounts for eightper cent of the organization'soperating budgetshrinks its outreach programs.

"Like international monitoring of policies, that capacity has shrunk," he said.

They have also been discouraged by the FairElections Act from focusing on getting-out-the-vote campaigns. Instead they've been told to focus on delivering fair and impartial election systems.

"I was critical of the Fair Elections Act," he said, "Any government that comes in, make sure Elections Canada has resources when it needs it."

Gerald Baier will be part of CBC radio's election coverage on Monday, October 19 starting at 4 p.m. PST.

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledImpacts on Elections Canada's operationswiththe CBC's Rick Cluff onThe Early Edition.