Shariff's Calgary-West nomination cancelled

Shiraz Shariff has been stripped of the Progressive Conservative party nomination for the riding of Calgary-West.

Shariff, who is the former Calgary-McCall Tory MLA, scored the upset win last Saturday, beating former Alberta Health Services boss Ken Hughes.

But PC Association of Alberta president Bill Smith said there were several written complaints about the eligibility of some members who voted at the meeting. After a thorough review of memberships, Sharifs nomination has been disallowed, he said.

In a written statement, Shariff complained that party officials did not consult him about their decision, and that he has not been offered an arbitration process, which he says the party constitution requires.

"I maintain that my campaign was run fairly. It was run with integrity and we followed the process. Other candidates in the Calgary West nomination had also stated their acceptance of the process, the fairness and the outcome," Shariff said.

"If there were irregularities, I request that the PC Party will make them known," he said.

Because of the looming provincial election, the party association is asking the PC board oftheconstituencyto consider possible candidates and submit three names for Premier Alison Redford to consider.