A general election for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is taking place today and members will have many decisions to make.
Five people are vying for the position of chief, with incumbent Peter Beatty seeking a third term. Challenging Beatty as chief is Karen Bird, Chavonne Custer, Jason Linklater and Tom McDermott.
The band’s electoral officer also says members will have to choose their councillors from a pool of 63 people. An Elder’s Council will be chosen as well.
Today’s election will also be the first time the First Nation will use an electronic system to count votes. According to officials, this is being done to cut down on multiple votes by one member.
Advance polls opened this past week and the general election will run from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.
Polling stations will be open in several PBCN communities.
(PHOTO: PBCN map. Photo courtesy of peterballantyne.ca)