Black Lake Returning Officer Orders Election

Black Lake Returning Officer Orders Election

Friday, December 05, 2003 at 13:48

 

 

It appears two men that have been fighting to get a new election called in Black Lake are getting their wish.

 

The band’s chief electoral officer has issued a release stating that a nomination meeting will be held on December 13th.

 

It’s anticipated an election will take place later this month between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

 

Earlier, the lawyer for Freddie Throassie and Donald Sayazie had indicated that he might ask the courts to intervene if a new election was not called.

 

The two men had filed a notice of appeal earlier this year, alleging that some off-reserve members were flown into Black Lake for their votes in the band’s last election in January, using band funds.

 

Throassie and Sayazie both ran for chief in that election, but ended up losing to incumbent Victor Echodh.

 

The men stated their case in a recent band assembly, and those present voted 51 to 3 to hold a new election.

 

The band’s chief electoral officer, Eileen Bruno, says she gets her authority from the elders and says she has no choice but to follow provisions contained in Black Lake’s band custom election code.