Election Law amendments hearing next Wednesday

06/03/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke would like to inform the community that the next hearing for proposed amendments to the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Election Law will be held at the Golden Age Club next Wednesday, June 11th from 6pm to 8:30pm.

Proposed amendments to be discussed include:

1. A candidate must declare all of his/her private business holdings and cease to hold any decision making authority with respect to said business holding during his/her term of office.
2. Change wording of Section 15g to read: “If he/she has previously served on Council in the term immediately before the current election, he/she must not have been removed from office.
3. The Electoral Officer will ensure that no partisan election campaign advertising can be seen from the polling station, and ensure that no person enters the polling location with such advertising displayed
4. The Electoral Officer will ensure that no fundraising is done at the polling location, including the grounds that surround the premises
5. Should an independent Pre-Election Decisions and Review Board be created

Additionally, there was no consensus previously reached on the question of whether to reduce the number of chiefs from twelve (12) to nine (9). Should no final consensus be reached, the status quo would remain.

“We also need further clarity on the issue of ‘summary convictions’ being included in the current definitions,” said Trina C. Diabo, the MCK Technician who is responsible for the project. “This will probably be the final hearing before the summer break, so we are hoping that we can get a mandate to move ahead. If we are to have the amendments in place before the 2015 election then, yes, there is a sense of urgency. We’re not rushing things but we have to be as efficient as possible.”