The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says a voting machine error has led to the overturning of the election of one of its vice-chiefs.
Last fall, Kimberly Jonathan was elected as the first female vice-chief of the FSIN.
However, the result was challenged by failed candidate Sheldon Wuttunee and earlier this week an appeal tribunal declared Jonathan’s election null and void.
FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde says a mis-caliberation of the electronic voting machine caused the error and a new by-election must now be held.
“The committee itself has made a decision that the election for first vice-chief should be overturned,” he says. “They felt there was enough sufficient irregularities with the calibration of the machine and regarding the nine spoiled ballots versus the five on manual count that it looked at the need for another election.”
Bellegarde says the joint Executive Council – Indian Government Commission will meet on April 30 to discuss a new by-election date.