Several errors in last week's advance vote have landed the Election Commission (EC) in trouble. Such mistakes raise doubts about the efficacy of the poll agency in organising Sunday's much-anticipated election and whether it can ensure it is free and fair.
Judge upholds amendments that limit who can vote in MN-S election
A judge has upheld amendments limiting who can vote for the next executive of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S).
In an interim ruling brought down May 14, Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench Justice R.W. Elson said the decisions made during this past February’s Métis National Legislation Assembly (MNLA) “cannot be the subject of judicial review.”
At the MNLA, amendments were made to the Saskatchewan Métis Elections Act 2007 and the MN-S Citizenship Act 1999 limiting voting to those with citizenship cards or letters proving they had made application for their citizenship cards prior to March 20, 2021. Voters also have to be 16 years of age or older and have lived in the province for six months.
Judge upholds amendments that limit who can vote in Metis Nation-Sask. election Clement Chartier said the ruling has resulted in “a large-scale disenfranchisement of thousands of Métis who have become discounted by our Métis government.”
Author of the article: Shari Narine • Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Publishing date: May 19, 2021 • 1 day ago • 3 minute read • In a March 11 photo, Métis National Council president Clément Chartier speaks to press announcing legal action against Métis Nation Saskatchewan over a recent change to its election rules that only allows registered members to vote. Photo by Matt Smith /Saskatoon StarPhoenix
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