445. Before filing the return and the declaration prescribed in sections 432 and 434, an official agent must have discharged all the claims received within the period of time prescribed in section 425.
However, the official agent shall mention, in his return, every undischarged claim and indicate whether he contests the claim or cannot discharge it owing to insufficient election funds.
No contested claim may be discharged by the official agent, by the leader of a party or by a candidate. Only the official representative may discharge it in execution of a judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the creditor after a hearing and not following acquiescence in the demand or a settlement agreement.
The Chief Electoral Officer may allow the official representative of an authorized entity to discharge any claim that has not been discharged owing to insufficient election funds, and he may, if there is no objection from a party or candidate, allow him to discharge a contested claim if the refusal or nonpayment results from an error in good faith.
1989, c. 1, s. 445; 1992, c. 38, s. 71.