Federal government overturns Manitoba First Nation's election

Federal government overturns Manitoba First Nation's election

The federal government has overturned election results for Lake St. Martin First Nation, north of Winnipeg, for the second time in five years.

The election was held Sept. 10, 2009, and, after an appeal and independent investigation, the federal cabinet ordered the election's results overturned June 3, citing violations of Indian band election regulations.

"The chief and the six councillors were advised on June 7," said Indian and Northern Affairs Canada spokeswoman Margot Geduld. "This is after careful examination and an independent investigation. This decision isn't taken lightly."

Geduld said the violations included failing to maintain control of the ballot process, opening mail-in ballots and depositing them into the ballot box, failing to maintain adequate records of mail-in ballots and allowing individual electors to vote more than once. --->>>

Greater access to voting, democracy needed for coastal communities | Wawatay Online

Greater access to voting, democracy needed for coastal communities | Wawatay Online

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling for remedies to what he calls "voting problems" in the coastal communities of northern Ontario.

While the date of the next election remains unknown, Angus said now is the time to get prepared so First Nations members can take part in their democratic right to vote.

Angus has written to Canada's Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand, to extend advance polling opportunities for James Bay communities. --->>>

AFN National Chief Welcomes Release of Senate Report on First Nations Elections and Looks Forward to Future Progress

AFN National Chief Welcomes Release of Senate Report on First Nations Elections and Looks Forward to Future Progress

The Senate Committee's report identified a number of areas where the Indian Act has been counter-productive to effective governance, including an imposed two-year limit on terms in office and a cumbersome appeals process. The report strongly recommended passing control over the design and execution of leadership selection to First Nations communities over the next 10-15 years.

"This report recognizes that the key to improving First Nations elections systems and citizen-centred accountability lies in fully recognizing First Nations jurisdiction over the design and control of our election codes. We would like to build on the recommendations contained in this report and discuss ways we can support the capacity of our nations to re-build their own systems of governing," said National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. --->>>

UN rejects defence of treaty vote - Surrey Leader

Surrey Leader - UN rejects defence of treaty vote:

The United Nations still has doubts about the way the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) treaty was reached, despite a Government of Canada assurance that $15,000 payments to some members were not made to buy support.

A just-released letter from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva to the Canadian ambassador says the treaty vote "...may have been subject to processes that did not meet standards for fair elections, in particular in light of allegations of financial inducements and other non-transparent processes used to influence election outcomes."

CRED recommends that "...increased efforts be taken to ensure fair and transparent voting procedures and monitoring of a future vote on an agreement."

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Aboriginals not voting - In the 2008 election, only eight percent of aboriginal Canadians living on reserve lands voted. Straight Goods

Straight Goods - Aboriginals not voting - In the 2008 election, only eight percent of aboriginal Canadians living on reserve lands voted.:

Fifty years ago, aboriginal Canadians finally received the right to vote in federal elections without having to cede their Indian status or treaty rights. In the 2008 election, eight percent of aboriginal Canadians living on reserve lands voted. And that's double the number from the previous election — due to a concerted campaign by Elections Canada to reach out to reserve voters.

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CBC News - Nova Scotia - N.S. First Nation election problem found

CBC News - Nova Scotia - N.S. First Nation election problem found:

An independent investigator found a major problem in how votes were counted in the Shubenacadie First Nation election in Nova Scotia last summer.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development ordered the special review of the June 8, 2009, band election after allegations were raised that the result was rigged.

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Former chief of Sask. First Nation gets eight months for buying votes - Canada - World - News - The Moose Jaw Times Herald

Former chief of Sask. First Nation gets eight months for buying votes - Canada - World - News - The Moose Jaw Times Herald:

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. - The former chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation has been sentenced to eight months in jail for buying votes.

Charles Meechance won the 2005 band election for chief on the Red Pheasant First Nation near North Battleford.

An investigation revealed that a supporter paid between $100 and $200 for mail-in ballots.

Meechance pleaded guilty to fraud in July.

A new election had to be held, which cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.

Allegations of vote problems to be probed - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Allegations of vote problems to be probed - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca:

Shubenacadie First Nation’s band elections under scrutiny: An investigation has been ordered into allegations of bribery and corruption in connection with last June’s band elections for Shubenacadie First Nation.

CBC News - Nova Scotia - Shubenacadie vote tampering allegations under review

CBC News - Nova Scotia - Shubenacadie vote tampering allegations under review:

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada continues to investigate a complaint about the Shubenacadie band election.

Six candidates have filed official responses to Michael Paul's complaint of vote tampering, said spokeswoman for the federal department.

... Paul alleges that some band members in Alberta never mailed in their ballots, even though their votes were recorded in a scrutineer's list of such ballots. He also claims people were offered money or alcohol in return for their votes.

First Nation Elections - Problems abound with current system - The Globe and Mail

Problems abound with current system - The Globe and Mail:

An internal Indian Affairs document leaked to The Globe and Mail earlier this year notes 'long-standing problems' with the current system of electing the AFN national leader. It states that 252 reserves, or first nations, elect their chiefs and council according to the Indian Act, which requires an election every two years and a secret-ballot vote. Off-reserve members can also vote by mail-in ballots.

However, the majority of first nations - 334 reserves - have adopted "band custom codes," each tailored to the community's specific preferences and traditions.

Would-be chief appeals First Nation vote result - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Would-be chief appeals First Nation vote result - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca:

INDIAN BROOK — A Shubenacadie First Nation man has launched an appeal of the community’s June election and wants the result thrown out.

Would-be chief pleads guilty to vote-buying scam - CBC

Would-be chief pleads guilty to vote-buying scam:

Charles Meechance pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to fraud in a vote-buying scam on an Indian reserve south of North Battleford, Sask.

Meechance, 51, was the second man to take a guilty plea in the scam. Bert Benson pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced last week to 15 months of community service.

Meechance was declared the winner of the 2005 band election for chief on the Red Pheasant First Nation, which is about 50 kilometres south of North Battleford.

It later emerged that Meechance, along with another man, Bert Benson, paid cash for votes, operating the scam from a motel room in North Battleford.

According to an agreed statement of facts in the case, in the run-up to the April 9, 2005, election, Benson and others handed out between $80 and $250 each time a band member completed a mail-in ballot in favour of the chief and band council candidates for whom Benson was working.

Voting process a test of endurance - Calgary Herald

Voting process a test of endurance:

Likened both to a “torture test” and democracy at it’s finest, the aboriginal body’s voting process has come under close scrutiny following the lengthy vote that locked Shawn Atleo and Perry Bellegarde in a dead heat through the wee hours of the night.

Vote-buying results in fraud conviction - CBC

Vote-buying results in fraud conviction:

In what is believed to be a Canadian first, a man has been convicted of fraud for buying electoral votes on an Indian reserve.

Bert Benson, 46 of the Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan was sentenced to 15 months community service for buying votes in the band's 2005 election.

Vote-buying scheme admitted - Regina Star Phoenix

Vote-buying scheme admitted:

A member of the Red Pheasant First Nation has pleaded guilty to fraud in relation to a scheme to buy members' mail-in ballots during the band's 2005 election for chief and council.

First Nations' election laws highlighted at hearing - Winnipeg Free Press

First Nations' election laws highlighted at hearing - Winnipeg Free Press:

Frustrations over the law governing First Nations elections took centre stage Monday at an open mike session during a Senate committee meeting in Winnipeg focused on the Indian Act.

The Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples will hold its second day of hearings Tuesday on issues surrounding the act, including the current two-year terms of office and the idea of setting fixed election dates.

...

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is working on a plan to standardize band elections across the province, including setting term limits. The association hopes standardized elections could help curb election corruption.

Voter concerned about mail-in ballots

Voter concerned about mail-in ballots:

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - With today's byelection and a pending election for chief and three band councillors, concerns have been raised about the Salt River First Nation's mail-in voting procedures.

"I am just concerned about the confidentiality, when you mail in your envelope," said Cindy Sabourin, a Fort Providence resident and member of the Salt River First Nation.

She said when she sends the ballot away to the electoral officer, it is sealed in a brown envelope within a larger envelope, adorned with her return address.

Sabourin is concerned that when the ballot arrives in Fort Smith, someone could write down her name and who she voted for, or her ballot may not be counted.

"I feel it should be totally anonymous," she said.

Election plan loses federal support - Winnipeg Free Press

Election plan loses federal support - Winnipeg Free Press:

OTTAWA -- Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl has withdrawn his government's support for a Manitoba-led plan to standardize elections for First Nations.

Last week, a spokesman for Strahl said the minister will work with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to implement the changes, which include holding elections for chief and council on reserves in Manitoba on the same day on a four-year cycle, and introducing a First Nations electoral officer to oversee them.

IA may throw out chief due to vote-buying - Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press:

IA may throw out chief due to vote-buying

Federal Indian Affairs officials are finally prepared to intervene in the troubled Little Saskatchewan First Nation, more than a year after receiving a report of vote-buying.

A letter obtained by the Free Press shows regional Indian Affairs officials are stepping in because of alleged corruption.

Election ballots sent to children by accident - globeandmail.com:

globeandmail.com: Election ballots sent to children by accident:

BRANDON, Man. — The Department of Indian Affairs is asking some members of Manitoba's Peguis band to destroy ballots it accidentally sent their children.

At least 26 children who live off-reserve were sent ballots in the mail for a coming election of chief and council.