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Just one day before MPs are expected to give their collective seal of approval to the striking of a special committee on electoral reform, Canada’s chief electoral officer has served notice that he intends to step down on December 28, 2016.

That’s two months before the non-renewable ten year term was set to automatically expire, although he could have stayed on until April 2018, as he was appointed before those limits were put in place. Under the previous law, the CEO could stay on until he turned 65.

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In a statement released by Elections Canada, Mayrand says he decided to leave at the end of the year “to allow [his] successor the necessary time” to take on his or her new responsibilities.

“Given Elections Canada’s ambitious electoral services modernization plans and the government’s consideration of fundamental reforms to our electoral system, I believe the early appointment of a successor to lead Elections Canada well ahead of the next general election is essential and should not be delayed,” he added.

Between now and his planned departure date, Mayrand intends to wrap up his final recommendations to Parliament on what he describes as “the much-needed modernization of our electoral process.”

Here’s the full text of his announcement which was delivered to the House and Senate speakers on Monday:

Marc Mayrand today informed the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Prime Minister of Canada that he will step down as Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on December 28, 2016. “I have concluded that it would be preferable to leave my position at the end of the year to allow my successor the necessary time to assume the responsibility and guide the future direction of Elections Canada,” said Mr. Mayrand. “Given Elections Canada’s ambitious electoral services modernization plans and the government’s consideration of fundamental reforms to our electoral system, I believe the early appointment of a successor to lead Elections Canada well ahead of the next general election is essential and should not be delayed.” Marc Mayrand’s appointment as Chief Electoral Officer of Canada was unanimously approved by the House of Commons on February 21, 2007. He became the sixth person to hold the office since the position was established in 1920. Mr. Mayrand thanked all parliamentarians for the opportunity to serve as Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer for nearly ten years, adding: “I will leave my functions humbled by the responsibilities entrusted to me but with enormous pride in having served my fellow citizens and their elected representatives.” During the coming months, Mr. Mayrand’s priority will be to finalize his recommendations report to Parliament for legislative change. “These recommendations will seek to achieve the much-needed modernization of our electoral process while preserving or enhancing its integrity and fairness,” he said.