By Andrew de Souza

Lawsuit filed against PBCN over election

May 27, 2011 | 7:02 AM

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and an election appeal committee over allegations of improper conduct during the last band election.

On May 19, former PBCN director of housing and chief candidate in the last election Harold Ralph Linklater filed the lawsuit in Saskatoon.

The lawsuit makes several allegations that stem from the bands recent election and subsequent requests for a recount and election appeal.

The appointed appeal board ruled that a recount was not necessary.

The application deals with allegations of bribery of the electorate, nepotism in the election office, violations of the band’s election act and impropriety by appeal board members and the chief electoral officer.

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The allegations are serious and a federal lawsuit is the only option left after exhausting avenues through the band office, Linklater said.

“I don’t really have any means to go and to address the issue,” he said.

“A decision has been made by the appeal committee and according to our election act their decision is final but as far as I’m concerned they made the wrong decision and that’s what I’m contesting.”

“We believe they erred in their decision and … I hope the judge will decide that this was totally wrong, the whole election was flawed and hopefully they declare a new election.”

The respondents have yet to file a response to the action.

adesouza@panow.com