News Release - August 2, 2011

For Immediate Release

Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan 2010 – 2011 Tabled on August 2, 2011

(Regina – Tuesday, August 2, 2011) In his 2010 – 2011 Annual Report tabled today, Acting Chief Electoral Officer, David Wilkie emphasized his office’s critical role as a non-partisan body charged with the mandate of directing and supervising the administrative and financial conduct of provincial electoral events. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (OCEO) must possess neutrality, transparency and integrity to ensure the right of the people of Saskatchewan to participate freely in honest, open and fair electoral events.

This Annual Report highlights office activities for the period of April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. The report outlines annual operational activities and strategic initiatives including the administration of the Saskatoon Northwest By-Election and preparations for the upcoming November 7, 2011 Provincial General Election.

In the report, Wilkie notes key initiatives that will be in place by the fall of 2011 in time for the 2011 General Election:

An extensive mapping project which focuses on revising poll boundaries, descriptions, and poll keys, as well as an overall improved look and feel. These new improved maps will be used by Returning Officers, enumerators, candidates and political parties;

• An electronic Candidate’s Financial Return;
• Consistent branding on advertising, brochures, website, etc.;
• Expanded use of social media for advertising;
• A new, user-friendly website which includes a new constituency search\locator and online employment application service;
• Ongoing operations renewal including the successful reimaging of ESPREE (electoral event application) and its updated electronic election calendar and election night results reporting capabilities, and a thorough renewal and overview of OCEO manuals and forms for Returning Officers, enumerators and poll officials.

There is some disappointment expressed that only a few of the 120 recommendations that were included in the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer - Volume III - Recommendations for Changes to The Election, 1996 – Twenty-Sixth Provincial General Election November 7, 2007, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on April 29, 2009 will be in place for the 2011 General Election. Of particular concern are those recommendations pertaining to accessibility for voters with disabilities.

The OCEO, however, is pleased that after much discussion over the past few years the budget of $1.5 million for additional costs to enumerate outside the Writ period has been ‘approved’ by the Board of Internal Economy and that, at the time of writing, the Regulations from the Ministry of Justice are nearing completion.

The Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan 2010-2011  For paper copies, contact Elections Saskatchewan at 787-4000 or 1-877-958-8683.