THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
An official complaint has been filed concerning the April 2 byelection at Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith.
Henry Beaver Jr.: unsuccessful candidate has filed complaint concerning April 2 byelection at Salt River First Nation. - NNSL file photo
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Henry Beaver Jr., an unsuccessful candidate for chief, has submitted a four-and-a-half page complaint concerning how the election was run by electoral officer Lynda Martin.
"It's basically the performance of the electoral officer that I felt should be reviewed," said Beaver, who filed the complaint on April 5.
"I don't want to go into too much detail right now," he added.
However, he said the complaint alleges the electoral officer wasn't familiar with parts of the band's election code, such as when the campaign period was supposed to start. Another issue was with the way the ballots were counted and scrutinized, Beaver added.
Martin declined to comment on the complaint.
Beaver said he is not protesting the fact that Frieda Martselos was elected chief or that Don Matthews Jr. was elected to council in the byelection.
"Let's put it this way. The results are the results, but I believe that the process of the election should be run fairly and smoothly," he said, adding it's important for democracy for an electoral officer to understand the rules and procedure.
While he isn't protesting anyone's election, Beaver added, "I believe that, if the electoral review committee thinks that the electoral officer has erred grievously regardless of the result, then the byelection should happen over again to ensure that the proper procedures are followed step-by-step throughout the election."
His complaint will go to a previously-named electoral review committee – made up of three people who are not members of Salt River First Nation – which will decide if the complaint should be dismissed or if a hearing is warranted.
In the April 2 byelection, Martselos won against three other candidates for chief. She collected 95 votes, while Beaver finished in fourth place with 43 votes.
The byelection for chief became necessary when the previous chief, David Poitras, resigned on Jan. 26 in a dispute with council over band finances.
Martselos will complete the two-year term of Poitras, while Matthews will complete the two-year term of the late Coun. Olga Mansbridge, who died in early January.
There will be an election for chief and all of council in September of next year.
