Carrier Sekani Tribal

Transcription

1 JASON G. MORGAN GENERAL MANAGER Carrier Sekani Tribal Council # Sixth Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2L 3N2 Phone: (250) Fax: (250) Toll Free: 1 (800) Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Description of Election Process Tribal Chief & Vice-Tribal Chief Election For Release Tuesday, June 5, 2012 March 14, 2

2 DESCRIPTION OF ELECTION PROCESS 1. CRITERIA OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS An eligible voter is any member of Carrier or Sekani ancestry 18 years of age or older. Each Member Band will provide a voter s list. Eligible Bands for the July 20, 2012 Tribal Chief and Vice-Tribal Chief Election are as follows: a. Wet suwet en First Nation e. Saik uz First Nations b. Burns Lake Band f. Nak azdli Band c. Stellat en First Nations g. Tl azt en Nation d. Nadleh Whu ten Band h. Takla Lake First Nations It is hereby requested that all eligible voters to bring their Status Card on the day of the election. 2. CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER The General Manager will appoint the Chief Electoral Officer. The Chief Electoral Officer will be given the full authority to carry out the election. The duties and responsibilities of whom are outlined in Appendix COMMUNITY RETURNING OFFICERS At least two weeks prior to the Election Day each community must identify a Community Returning Officer by July 6, These people must be fluent in their Native language in order to translate for their Elders. These people will be hired to: a. Maintain a proper election procedure and accurate record keeping; b. Prepare the voter s list and send a copy to the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Office; c. Manage and be present at the polling station. At the end of the day, count the ballots and telephone the Chief Electoral Officer with the results of the vote. 4. NOMINATIONS Nominations for the position of Tribal Chief and the Vice-Tribal Chief will be open June 11, 2012 and will close on June 22, Prior to June 28, 2012, candidates must indicate in writing whether they accept or decline the nomination. All written acceptances must be received on or before June 27, 2012 at 4:00pm in order for the candidates name to appear on the ballot. All candidates nominated must be of Carrier or Sekani ancestry 18 years of age or older, and be a registered Band Member of the listed Eligible Bands, as outlined in Criteria of Eligible Voters. Once nominations are accepted, the candidates will be well publicized in the communities. 5. ELECTION An election date has been set for July 20, The date, location and times will promptly be publicized in the Member Communities. Candidates may select scrutineers, if they wish. On the day of the Election, the polling station will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. The name of the scrutineer should be given to the Community Returning Officer prior to the date of the Election.

3 Community Polling Stations will be established in the Member Bands Communities, and a Polling Station in Prince George, B.C. at the CSTC Administration Office, # th Avenue, Prince George, B.C. Once the polling stations are closed, the Community Returning Officers will count the ballots and immediately notify the Chief Electoral Officer by telephone. 6. ANNOUNCEMENT The results of the election will be announced by the Chief Electoral Officer once all the results are in and totaled. Ratification and confirmation will be announced at the 2012 Annual General Assembly. At this time, the Tribal Chief and Vice-Tribal Chief will be officially be sworn into Office. 2

4 Appendix 1 Chief Electoral Officer Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Ensure delegates are aware that they are permitted to nominate or second one candidate. 2. Voting is to be done by secret ballot. 3. He/she will manage and be present at the main polling station in Prince George which would be located at the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Office. 4. He/she will count the ballots of the Prince George polling station. 5. He/she will total the votes telephoned in from the polling stations. 6. Ensure each Band selects a Returning Officer. 7. Coordinate notification of nominations, candidates and election through local media, posters, etc. 8. Ensure the Returning Officers maintains accurate record keeping. Community Returning Officers Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Ensure voter s lists are prepared and sent to the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. 2. Coordinate the notification of candidates and election, i.e, notices, posters, newsletters, etc. 3. Ensure polling stations are properly set-up for secrecy and that each has a lockable ballot box. 4. Ensure all ballots are returned to the Chief Electoral Officer. 3

5 Appendix 2 LIST OF CARRIER AND SEKANI MEMBER COMMUNITIES Wet suwet en First Nation Burns Lake Band Stellat en First Nations Nadleh Whu ten Band Saik uz First Nations Nak azdli Band Takla Lake First Nations Tl azt en Nation A Polling Station at the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, # th Avenue, Prince George, B.C., V2L 3N2 4