Alberta’s Opposition NDP is asking a court to strike down new rules restricting the voter information Elections Alberta can provide to political parties. The application was filed Thursday in Edmonton and argues the policy undermines the purpose of a voter list under provincial law.

Published last week, the rules permit Elections Alberta to give parties voter lists showing only the number of voters in each voting area and municipality. Previously, the lists supplied first and last names, addresses, phone numbers and unique voter identification numbers. The province’s official voter list is managed by Elections Alberta, with copies distributed to political parties, legislators, election candidates and constituency associations for campaigning, fundraising and other activities.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery’s office has described the policy as temporary, saying it is intended to better protect Albertans’ private information after a major privacy breach involving a separatist group earlier this year. Amery’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the court challenge.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said he is concerned the restrictions could open the door to voter fraud in the Oct. 19 referendum. He says scrutineers overseeing the ballot count will lack the information needed to check whether people have voted more than once.

Elections Alberta said last week it will continue using the detailed voter list to manage and track voters in the referendum. The court application contends the new rules should be struck down because they limit the information parties receive under the provincial voter-list system.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.