Jack Danylchuk
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 06/00) - Whenever election fever breaks out of the prime minister's office, David Connelly will be ready.

The returning officer for the Western Arctic said he has prepared a budget that for the first time will make allowance for a satellite office in the Beaufort Delta.

Topsy Cockney, the new additional assistant returning officer, will work with Connelly, assistant returning officer Wayne Guy and Oliver O'Boyle, who will co-ordinate computer systems for the riding.

"The computer position is also new for the territories," said Connelly.

"Voters won't notice any difference on election night, but we will be able to substantially reduce paperwork on revisions to the voters list."

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has been widely rumoured to favour an early election.

The writ could be dropped within the next two weeks for a vote in November.

Connelly said that the election will be the first since revisions to the federal Elections Act became law.

One of the most important changes requires the returning officer to verify the nominators of all candidates.

Third parties must register if they want to spend more than $500 on advertising for a candidate or political party

"I would advise anyone who is thinking of running to make themselves familiar with the changes," advised Connelly, who received instruction at a meeting in Ottawa in August with other federal election officials.

Connelly said that all election material will be available in up to seven aboriginal languages. He has also budgeted for translators and aboriginal liaison officers.

NDP gears up

The Western Arctic NDP is also getting ready for an election, sending out a territory-wide call for candidates last week.

In a press release, riding association president Mark Heyck said a nomination meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 4.

"Women are particularly encouraged to run," said the release, adding the NDP aims to "open up the political process to all citizens of the Northwest Territories."

Speculation increases

In Ottawa this week, there was increased speculation that Chretien was favouring a Nov. 27 election.

The call could come after the auditor general releases a report later this month on financial mismanagement of Human Resources funding.