Media Advisory
SUMMARY OF CANDIDATE FINANCIAL REPORTS PUBLISHED
Issued: 19 March 2012

A summary of candidate financial reports from the 2011 territorial general election has been published in today’s News/North and at www.electionsnwt.ca. The same summary will be published in French in the March 23 edition of L’Aquilon.

Reports are available for viewing and copying at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer by appointment during regular business hours.

Please direct media inquiries to:
Jennifer Whitaker
Communications Officer
867-920-6919
Jennifer_Whitaker@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder
Pursuant to section 256 of the Elections and Plebiscites Act, each candidate’s official agent must file an accurate, signed financial report with the Chief Electoral Officer within 60 days from polling day. The Chief Electoral Officer is required by section 260 of the Act to publish a summary of each candidate financial report.

The publication of these summaries helps to ensure that there is transparency in the electoral process.

Part 9 of the Elections and Plebiscites Act sets out the rules and requirements for election contributions and expenses. Placing limits on campaign contributions and expenses ensures fairness and helps level the playing field.

The Tariff of Fees Regulations sets out the amounts paid to election workers on polling day:

If you…
- made less than $500, you will not receive a tax statement
- made more than $500, you will receive a T4A as a statement of your contract earnings
- worked as a returning officer or assistant returning officer, you will receive a T4 statement of your employment income

All payments are considered taxable income and must be claimed in your federal income tax return.

For more information on claiming occasional income, please visit the website of the Canada Revenue Agency.

Media Advisory

Four candidates penalized for late filing

YELLOWKNIFE, 26 January 2012

Candidates in the 2011 territorial general election were obligated to file financial reports by December 2nd, 2011.

91% of candidates filed financial reports with the Chief Electoral Officer.

Four of 47 candidates have not yet filed. Those candidates are:

• Mary Clark (Mackenzie Delta)
• Eddie T. Dillon (Nunakput)
• Glenna Hansen (Mackenzie Delta)
• Bertha Norwegian (Nahendeh)

The Chief Electoral Officer sent a letter to each of these candidates at the end of December which required they pay a penalty of $250 and file an accurate financial report within 30 days of receiving the letter.

Candidates who fail to pay the $250 fine and file an accurate financial report within 30 days may be subject to prosecution. Failure to comply with the financial reporting obligations is a major election offence and is punishable by a fine not exceeding $5000 and/or a one-year term of imprisonment.

Please direct media inquiries to:
Jennifer Whitaker
Communications Officer
867-920-6919
Jennifer_Whitaker@gov.nt.ca

Media Advisory
OFFICIAL RESULTS TABLED
ISSUED: 13 December 2011

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has tabled the Report on the Official Voting Results from the 2011 territorial general election.

The report illustrates the number of votes cast by polling division for the 16 electoral districts that held polls as well as information on the acclamation of candidates in 3 electoral districts.

In total, 11,865 ballots were cast, representing 48 per cent of eligible electors.

Voter turnout ranged from a high of 87 per cent in Monfwi to a low of 30 per cent in Frame Lake.

Please direct media inquiries to:

David Brock
Chief Electoral Officer
867-920-6999

Issued: 28 November 2011 

The Chief Electoral Officer has dismissed a complaint filed by Ms. Olga Mansbridge.

The complaint contains allegations that Mr. Peter Martselos gave two men each twenty dollars in exchange for a commitment to vote for him.

At the time of the alleged event(s), Mr. Martselos was a candidate in the electoral district of Thebacha during the 2011 general election.

The Chief Electoral officer conducted a review of the complaint in accordance with the Elections NWT Enforcement Policy and the Elections and Plebiscites Act.

The complaint was dismissed on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient to justify further action.  The file is now closed.

Please direct media inquiries to: 

David M. Brock

Chief Electoral Officer

867-920-6999

electionsnwt@gov.nt.ca