as ballots are counted, and the first candidate to get 50 per cent of the votes was declared the new leader. Candidates must be nominated by at least 100 party members, must agree to abide by the party's existing platform for the next election, and must be approved by the party's nominations committee as a PC candidate for the 2018 provincial election. Method and Electronic Security The voting method is solely electronic voting with no other access methods. To cast a ballot, a three-part validation-vote was employed. First each eligible member had to register to vote with a code sent via regular mail. Second, each member who had registered had to validate their identity with one piece of government issued identification by uploading an image. Third, each qualifying member was provided a second access code to use during the voting period via the internet. The system was criticized by all candidates as overly complicated and difficult for elderly members and those with difficulties using or accessing computers. Doug Ford and Tanya Granic Allen raised concerns over the security and legitimacy of the vote. Ford stated he believed "party elites" and "the establishment" would try to steal the election and said "there should be security cameras on the servers". Past leadership candidate Frank Klees said he had grave concerns about the integrity of the vote. Timeline January 24, 2018: Leader Patrick Brown holds an emergency press conference at 9:45 pm to deny allegations of sexual misconduct, 15 minutes before CTV News planned to break a story detailing allegations made by two women. The PC Caucus meets in a telephone conference call and demands Brown's resignation. January 25, 2018: Just before 1:30 am, Brown issues a statement announcing his resignation as party leader but maintaining his innocence. Brown states his intention to remain an MPP. January 26, 2018: PC caucus unanimously elects Vic Fedeli as interim leader and Fedeli announces he intends to run for the permanent leadership The PC Party executive decides to hold a full-scale leadership election before the next provincial election and sets the date of the leadership election. January 28, 2018: Party president Rick Dykstra resigns shortly before Maclean's magazine publishes a story about him allegedly sexually assaulting an employee during his time as a federal MP. January 29, 2018: Doug Ford announces he intends to run. January 30, 2018: Fedeli withdraws from the contest. January 31, 2018: