Enoch election invalid, says Indian Affairs

Page 3

The department of Indian Affairs has declared invalid the May 29 election victory of Enoch Cree Nation Chief Jerome Morin.

The victories of Morin and three band councilors are being set aside because of discrepancies in the election, said Skip Everall, head of band governance for Indian affairs.

"There were seven ineligible voters, four of whom don't live on the reserve, whose votes could have affected the outcome. The chief won by only three votes and three councilors won by less than a seven vote spread, so that it's possible those not entitled to cast a ballot voted for them."

The department conducted its review after two bad members launched an appeal questioning the validity of the election.

Band Lawyer conducted its review after two band members launched n appeal questioning the validity of the election.

Band lawyer Leighton Decore said the department's conclusions are illogic.

"How can you know for sure whether those people voted for the chief and the other three band council members?"

Decore said the department has "a vested interest in getting rid of the chief and the three councilors and the government wants to cause dissension within a very powerful band."

Morin, who could not be reached for comment, recently launched a $100 million land claim and a $450 million lawsuit against the government for negligence with respect to the handling of Enoch's oil revenues.

"How can you expect the government to be fair to a band that's attacking them legally and politically?

Gurston Dacks, professor of political science at the University of Alberta, agreed saying election difficulties should be taken out of the hands of Indian affairs.

"If discrepancies are found in an election, it should be taken to the courts where all evidence is in full view, rather than having the government make an administration decision where there's all sorts of possibilities for conflicts of interest."

Decore said the chief will continue to assist and advise the band, located west of Edmonton, but he will not vote along with the six remaining councilors.