With six candidates running for national chief of the Dene Nation, the executive committee has introduced multiple rounds of balloting until 50 per cent plus one support is reached to determine a leader.
This created tension within the assembly, meeting in Dettah this week, as some delegates did not feel fully informed or understand why a new system was being put in place, and also wondered what that means for future elections.
The morning of Day One of the National Assembly on Wednesday was consumed by dialogue and discussion, running the meetings well into the night. Many chiefs and delegates stayed 12 hours.
Dene Nation elections have, historically, been based on a first-past-the-post system, with only two or three candidates typically seeking the office of national chief. This has resulted in various candidates winning with less than a majority SA国际影视传媒� for instance, Norman YakSA国际影视传媒檈ula was elected as national chief in 2018 with 41 per cent support.
George Erasmus, a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, addressed the room, citing concerns from assembly members wondering how the decision for multiple rounds of balloting had been made without consulting the rest of the assembly, whether this change would impact future elections and if this would result in a change to the Dene Constitution, which currently states that elections shall take place in-person and involve one round of voting. Some leaders, however, feel that this process is influenced greatly by Western electoral systems and therefore not truly reflective of Dene tradition.
After a morning of tense discussions, and exhaustion, a vote was held and delegates supported the decision for a multiple-round election for Dene national chief on Thursday evening, but to further examine the process for future elections, without any amendment to the Dene Constitution.
Incumbent Gerald Antoine is facing challengers April Martel, Gerry Cheezie, Paulie Chinna, George Mackenzie and YakSA国际影视传媒檈ula in the race for Dene national chief.
Correction: A previous version of this story indicated the wrong percentage required to clinch an election victory.
