In-person polls OK on Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) will allow in-person election day polls after cancelling them over COVID-19 concerns.

The decision reinstates most of the First Nation's election day polling stations on Kinasoo First Nation, Sandy Bay, Sturgeon Landing, Deschambault Lake and Pelican Narrows First Nation, noted Elections Saskatchewan in an online statement.

Voters also have the option to attend advance polls in Creighton and Lac La Ronge until Oct. 24.

The move follows Pelican Narrows Mayor Ovide Michel raising concern that the PBCN chief and council didn't consult with him when they blocked in-person voting, leaving residents little time to vote.

That decision meant PBCN members could only use extraordinary voting, where ballots are delivered directly to members.

Voters had a deadline of 5 p.m. on Tuesday to request a ballot over the phone.

Michel worried the move to extraordinary voting would lower the turnout. He reported some members gave up on the ballot request process when faced with wait times or communication trouble.

If English wasn't the voter's first language, a PBCN notice for residents advised using an interpreter.

PBCN Chief Peter Beatty defended the move, saying it was the “safest way possible” for band members to vote.

The special voting decision followed PBCN communities entering lockdown earlier this month after a spike in COVID-19 cases. Beatty said members were apprehensive about working at or visiting polling stations, leading PBCN to work with the chief electoral officer and medical health officer to find an alternative.

Elections Saskatchewan noted PBCN lifted community lockdowns, except in Southend, on Tuesday.

Voters head to the polls on Oct. 26.