A statement has been released by the Kitsumkalum First Nation addressing concerns over a lack of candidate access prior to Thursday’s election.
Despite the lack of an all candidates forum, the Band received a steady voter turnout of 228 ballots, compared to 233 cast in the previous election.
This is thanks, in part, to a concerted effort by the Band to build and validate their eligible voters’ mailing list.
Regarding the all candidates forum, Kitsumkalum says resource constraints prevented the event this year.
They do hope to restart the forum again next year, should resources permit, as planning the forum gives their youth a role in the election process.
During the election cycle, candidates were able to send information in to the Nation, which was then posted publicly on their website.
Candidate Troy Sam says many members reached out to him in the days before the election to inquire on his policies and agenda.
Kitsumkalum closed the statement by acknowledging the efforts of the election organizers and all of the candidates during this year’s cycle.
