NDP Concerned About On-Reserve Voting

NDP Concerned About On-Reserve Voting

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 16:13

 

 

A member of the provincial NDP says he is very upset with how he feels over how on-reserve First Nations have been singled out in the upcoming election — but the province says there are options.

 

Northern Affairs Critic Doyle Vermette says the Wall government adapted the rules of the Federal election act including the Attestation of Residence.

 

The Attestation is used to establish residency for people in long-term care facilities and homeless shelters.

 

But, Vermette says on-reserve First Nation residents are not included in the provincial act.

 

Vermette says the Attestation form can be used in a federal election where a Chief signs on behalf of an on-reserve band member and confirms their residency.

 

He says the next step is to create awareness that the regulations are unfair to on-reserve First Nation members.

 

Meanwhile, the province’s Minister of Justice says First Nations do have options to make sure they are eligible to vote in the upcoming provincial election.

 

Saskatchewan’s election act was recently updated and in order to vote, a resident must have a driver’s license with photo ID or two pieces of identification: one photo ID and one with a home address.

 

Don Morgan says getting enumerated by returning officers is one way to make sure on-reserve First Nation members can vote.

 

Morgan also says SGI has been travelling in the province’s north helping residents acquire photo ID.