The Eskasoni First Nation has changed its election rules, bringing them in line with the new First Nations Elections Act.
Under the new regulations, the band’s chief and councillors will serve four-year terms instead of two years and candidates cannot run for both chief and councillor in the same election, said spokesman George Paul on Monday.
“Four years is better,” he said. You spend the first year learning to understand the process and by the second year, you’re back to campaigning again. This way, you can work on long-term plans.”
The next election for band members is Oct. 13.
Fees for candidates
There’s now a $25 fee to run for councillor and $100 to run for chief, Paul said. The fee is to discourage people from running just because they have been nominated, he said. In the past, sometimes 200 to 300 people would run in an election.
“It was ridiculous,” said Paul.
Even now, 80 to 90 people running for chief and 12 council seats isn’t uncommon, he said.
Eskasoni has about 4,300 members, and about 2,200 eligible voters, making it the largest First Nations community east of Montreal.
Penalties for vote buying and other offences
Membertou First Nations in Cape Breton switched over to the new First Nations electoral regulations last year.
Other electoral changes being implemented include:
- Mail-in ballots will no longer be sent out to all off-reserve voters. Members must fill in a form, accompanied by a piece of identification, and return it no later than six days before the election.
- New election offences, such as offering money for votes, buying and selling mail-in ballots and intimidating voters. Penalties include fines and/or jail terms.
- The election process will be shorter, reduced to 65 days from 79.