Nomination day for the Chiniki band election is fast approaching and interested candidates have from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 to put their names forward.
Marvin Yellowhorn of the Pikani First Nation has been brought in as Chief Electoral Officer.
Yellowhorn said that though he won’t know who is running until end of nominamtion day, he is aware that the current chief will be seeking re-election.
“It’s going to be really interesting to see the candidates that come out this year,” he said.
Chief Aaron Young governs the current Chiniki band with councillors Jeremy Frank Kaquitts, Jordie Ian Mark, Clifford Powderface and Lional Wildman.
Elected Chiniki leaders serve a three-year term.
The deputy electoral officers are Aaron Khan, Big Horn (Chiniki Band Office), Ken Christiensen, Eden Valley (Eden Valley Wellness Center), Lisa Wyands, Morley (Bearspaw Youth Centre).
Polling stations for the nominations will be held at the Bearspaw Youth Centre in Morley as well as at the Big Horn Administration Office and the Eden Valley Wellness Center.
In order to be nominated for chief or councillor, a person must be a registered Chiniki Nation member for at least 10 years and be at least 21 years of age.
Eligible candidates have to have to lived on the Nation for at least six months prior to the nomination date; provide a name-based criminal record check; not have been convicted of an indictable offense in the last 10 years; pay non-refundable fees of $500 to run for the position of councillor and $1,000 to run for the position of chief.
A person who nominates or seconds a candidate must meet criteria outlined in the respective Band Council Resolutions (BCR) and can nominate or second one person for chief and one for councillor.
Voters must be over 21 years of age. Each eligible voter is entitled to one vote for chief and four votes for councillors.
Candidates will have until Nov. 21 to withdraw.
The election will be held on Dec. 8. Advanced polls will be open on Nov. 28.
