A federal Order in Council has forced an election for Chief and Council on Sandy Bay First Nation.

Last September's vote was set aside, following an appeal which contained allegations of vote buying.

Marc Boivin, Manager of the Election Unit at I-NAC headquarters in Ottawa, says that triggered an investigation and a review of the findings. The conclusion was the allegations were true, and the Governor in Council, which is the federal cabinet, ordered the election overturned, on the recommendation of the Indian Affairs minister.


Boivin notes the chief and council are no longer in office, and any activities they were involved with have to stop. A third party manager is making sure essential services continue.

He adds the chief and council are eligible for re-election. The election date is October 11th, but Sandy Bay Chief Irvin McIvor is seeking a court injunction to stop the process.