Election Code Amendment 2024
Questions?
Please get in touch with Andrea Herrera at the Band Office
or email: elections2024@saikuz.com for more information.
ELECTION CODE AMENDMENT 2024
Since the Saik’uz Custom Election Code was adopted in 2017, Chief and Council are recommending updates to the code to deal with issues that the current code does not address – such as defining conflict of interest and inclusion of new technology such as online voting. The amendment process will be guided by the Election Amendment Oversight Committee, a group of Saik’uz Members drawn from the previous Complaints and Appeals Board, and community who are interested in joining. Saik’uz community members will be central to the entire process.
The Election Code Amendment Process: Community Involvement
The amendment process will take place over several months with final amendments written into the Election Code 100 days before the next election in March 2025. Your input will be important in the election code amendment process.
1. The Election Amendment Oversight Committee – Community Oversight
Composed of the former Complaints and Appeals Board, as well as other Saik’uz members who were interested in participating. The EAOC guides the election amendment process and is arm’s length from Chief and Council.
2. Community Survey
The EAOC will guide the development of a community survey to flesh out top-level community concerns with the current election code and explore Council responsibilities.
Online Survey Link
3. Workshops
a. Workshops were held online in Prince George, and the survey results were shared. Then, a deeper dive into the issues Saik’uz members want to see addressed in the amended election code was conducted.
b. The results from the survey and discussions will be distributed in a “What We Heard Report.”
4. Development and Presentation of Amendments
a. Using member feedback and input, the EAOC will develop amendments that will be put up for two weeks of final review before the vote.
b. The EAOC will present these proposed amendments, as well as community input for the Chief and Council Code of Conduct.
5. Community Vote (Plebiscite)
The final step in the process is a community vote on the amendments. The vote will be held in person in Saik’uz and online for those who cannot attend.
Saik’uz First Nation Election Amendment Process Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | ‘What We Heard’ Report distributed and proposed amendments released. |
| October 1, 2024 | BCR with Amendments Drafted |
| October 1-14, 2024 | Comment Period |
| October 9-10, 2024 | Presentation at Saik’uz AGA and booth |
| October 17, 2024 | Amendment mail-out |
| December 3, 2024 | Community Ratification Vote (Plebiscite) |
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