Yellowknife (July 23/04) - Prior to the federal election, Stephen Coates was surprised to find a voter information card in his mailbox with an unusual name on it.

"I'm a landed immigrant. I'm not entitled to vote," said Coates, who moved to Canada from Ireland in 1996.

But he received a card "for Ciaran Penny," said Coates, who commonly goes by the name "Ciaran."

Penny is his wife's surname, which may explain the mistake.

Elections Canada officials say receiving a card does not give somebody the right to vote. A non-citizen who finds their way onto the voter's list can be charged with voter fraud if they cast a ballot.

Officials at the polls may ask a voter to provide proof of identification and residence if they have reason to suspect voter fraud.

However, Elections Canada does not keep statistics on how many voters are challenged about their right to vote or on the possibility they may have voted twice at different polling stations.

Coates is still unsure as to how Elections Canada got the name on the voter's list. He suspects it may have been taken from a municipal or territorial voter's list.

Elections Canada does use municipal and territorial lists, and other "administrative sources" to update the federal voter's list.