Custom Election Code Project
In 1995, Chief and Council reviewed the existing rules and regulations in the Indian Act regarding band elections in response to concerns expressed over the past few years about the general band elections. At that time, a draft election code had been developed with very little input from the community. The Chief and Council decided not to proceed with a custom election code until a later date when band members would take part in the process.
In May 2005 the Mishkeegogamang First Nation Chief and Council initiated the Mishkeegogamang Custom Election Code Project, again in response to concerns expressed about the way general elections are held. Concerns expressed included the way the nominations for council positions are conducted, the selection of candidates, the qualification(s) of candidates, the residency of candidates, and the election day procedures such as ballot counting.
Informational material was developed to educate and assist the band members of Mishkeegogamang to understand how general elections are currently conducted under the Indian Act, and the process involved to develop a custom election code. Developing a custom election code for our community will be an ongoing process. We encourage all Mishkeegogamang band members to take part in this important process.