kelownaelections.ca

Ashok Kumar Verma

Candidate for School Trustee

Background

Ashok Kumar Verma is a confirmed candidate for one of the four school-trustee seats on the Kelowna ballot in the 2026 election.

In an Oct. 7, 2026 Castanet candidate Q&A (story 633478), Verma described a background spanning teaching from the elementary to university level; graduate and postgraduate research in physics, glacial-hydrology (Himalayan river basins) and permafrost (Yukon, Northwest Territories); a Bachelor of Education from UBC; financial-services work; and co-operating a Rutland childcare centre. He cited volunteer roles including former executive vice-president of the Navy League of Kelowna, a youth soccer coach (RYSA), an Air Cadets volunteer, and a supporter of Mamas for Mamas. These are his statements as told to Castanet (answers edited by the outlet for clarity and brevity).

2026 Campaign

Verma has no dedicated public campaign website; he appears in community endorsement videos shared on Facebook by supporters in Kelowna's South Asian community.

In an Oct. 7, 2026 Castanet candidate Q&A, Verma stated he is running on "effective, inclusive, diverse, and accountable leadership" and to "strengthen representation for Kelowna's multicultural community." On the district's most urgent issue he named funding, and — as his own assessment — said "Rutland is being left behind," asserting that Rutland's school facilities lag other areas of the district despite high-density growth around Rutland High School, and called for an audit and reassessment of facility-fund allocations. These are his statements as told to Castanet (answers edited by the outlet for clarity and brevity); the comparative claim about Rutland facilities is candidate-stated, not independently established.

Questionnaire responses

Did not respond to the Kelowna Elections questionnaire (deadline October 2, 2026).

Financial agent: Self

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