NCN Chief and Council 2026 Election Timeline

5 (1) Subject to subsection (2), at least 45 days prior to the expiry of its term of office, council shall appoint a voter who communicates in Nehethowiwin and English, as the electoral officer for purposes of this Election Law. 4(1) subject to subsection (3) and (5) the chief and councillors shall hold office for a four (4) year term. 4(4) All Candidates elected to council shall assume office within fourteen (14) days after the election.

6 (1) The Electoral Officer shall appoint deputy electoral officers, returning officers and such others and employees as are necessary to enable the electoral officer to carry out the duties assigned under this Election Law and to the extent possible shall appoint a deputy electoral officer for each polling location.

8 The electoral officer, any deputy electoral officers and other officers shall take an Oath of Confidentiality in the form of Schedule “D” prior to assuming ay duties under this Election Law.

20 (1) By May 15th of the last year of its term, Council shall appoint an Appeal Committee for Purposes of this Election Law which Appeal Committee shall remain in office until a new Appeal Committee is appointed. Appeal Committee> Adjudicator – Gavin Wood 1 Elder 1 Youth 2 other persons 5 Alternates

14(7) The electoral officer may, at least ninety (90) days before a council election decide that mail-in ballots shall be used by notifying NCN Citizens that if they are not ordinarily resident within fifty (50) kilometers of a location where in-person voting will take place, they may contact the electoral officer and register to vote by mail-in ballot. For greater certainty, mail-in ballots shall not be utilized for board elections unless permitted by the board’s governing documents.

9 (1) (h) establish the procedures for the use of mail-in ballots if a decision has been made pursuant to subsection 14 (7) to use such ballots; Includes the following: 1. Establishing an email address 2. Opening a post office mailbox in Thompson 3. Posting the Notice of the Mail in Ballot Procedures 4. Establish dates for mail in ballots

11(2) Subject to subsection (3), every council or board election shall be commenced by a council resolution calling the council or board election, which council resolution shall be provided to the electoral officer forthwith.

14(8) Upon deciding that mail-in ballots will be used, the electoral officer shall establish the procedures which will apply to the mail-in ballots and shall publicize the procedures at least sixty (60) days prior to the final inperson voting day in a council election.

11 (3)– Council elections shall be held on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday in August every four (4) years unless; (a) Only one of the days falls within the fourth week, in which case the election shall be held on the third Wednesday and Thursday in August of that year 11(4) – Upon receipt of a council resolution under subsection (2), the electoral officer shall immediately issue an order: (b) Establishing the fixed election dates in accordance with subsection 11(3) and ensuring those dates are no more than forty-five (45) days after the date of the nomination meeting; (f) post the order in at least five (5) conspicuous places on NCN Lands, in at least one location in Thompson, Winnipeg and other locations in Manitoba where significant numbers of voters reside, as determined in the sole discretion of the electoral officer, and on NCN’s website

14 (1) Establishment of Polling Places (a) make arrangements for polling places which are easily accessible for voting during the council and board elections; and (a) Establish in-person polling stations in locations in Manitoba if there are at least fifty (50) voters ordinarily resident in that location. Any changes had to be made by February 23, 2026. Election Locations NCN (5 polling Stations – includes travelling poll) Leaf Rapids Thompson Winnipeg Mail In Ballots (July 20 – August 25, 2026) Date & Time August 26 & 27, 2026 – 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

11(4) Upon receipt of a council resolution under subsection (2), the electoral officer shall immediately issue an order:

13 (1) (c ) at the time the nomination papers are filed provides the electoral officer with a written criminal records check issued no more than three (3) months prior to the date of the meeting: (i) Confirming the person has never been convicted of an indictable offence or sentenced to serve a jail term for an indictable or hybrid offence (ii) Confirming it is at least eight (8) years from the date of the conviction, jail sentence or any appeal arising from the conviction or jail sentence whichever is higher. (a) Provides the electoral officer with written confirmation from the peacekeeping tribunal that the person has participated in restorative justices and the tribunal has decided the person is no longer prohibited from seeking election to council if the person was convicted of murder, manslaughter, or sexual assault of any nature. (b) Provides the electoral officer with written confirmation from a reputable organization qualified to administer drug tests that the person has taken a test for illegal drugs within fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the nomination meeting and it was negative. (c) Provides the electoral officer with a written acknowledgement that the person agrees to be subject to random drug tests throughout the electoral period and if elected during the four-year term of office and consenting to the results being provided to the electoral officer during the election and to the Chief Executive Officer following the election

A workshop will be held in Nelson House from 10:00 am–1:00 pm and 6:00 – 9:00 pm. This workshop will assist potential candidates understand the processes followed and their obligations so that they can ensure that their campaign workers understand the process.

11(4) (a) fixing the date for the filing of nomination papers at least fourteen (14) days from the date of the order;

11(4)(c) fixing the date for a nominating meeting to be held, which date shall be no more than five (5) days after the date for filing nomination papers; 13 (9) Subject to subsection (10), all voters nominated shall attend the nomination meeting to confirm that they wish to stand for office and to outline their reasons for seeking office, or the EO shall declare the nomination to be null and void, unless in the sole discretion of the electoral officer of the electoral officer it is determined there are special emergency circumstances which prevent a nominee from complying with this subsection.

13 (11) Any voter nominated may withdraw at the nominating meeting (July 20, 2026) or at least seven (7) days before election days (August 20, 2026-Final Withdrawal Date at 5:00pm) by filing a written notice to that effect signed by the candidate and witnessed by two voters and that candidates name shall not be placed on the ballot.

9(1)(b) ensure the voters list is prepared and posted in at least five (5) public locations on NCN Lands at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the council election; 12(1) The electoral officer shall cause a voters’ list to be prepared, which list shall contain the names of all voters in alphabetical order, any relevant available contact information, date of birth and NCN registration number. The Voter’s list, without identifying personal information other than name, shall be posted at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date voting starts in the same locations the election order in subsection 11 (4) is posted. The electoral officer shall provide confirmed candidates with the voters’ list containing all contact and related information in accordance with policies established by the electoral officer to balance the privacy interests of NCN Citizens while encouraging participation in NCN’s democratic elections. Corrections to Voters’ List 12 (2) Any voter may apply to the electoral officer up to the time the polls close to have the voter’s list revised on the basis that the voter’s name is missing from the list, the name of the voter is incorrect or that the list contains names of persons who are not qualified voters. Compilation of Voters Lists by Polls The Voter’s List is divided into sections of the Master Voters Lists which includes both on and off reserve NCN Citizens. Off Reserve Voters List is then divided into six (6) voters lists as follows: 1. Thompson 2. Winnipeg 3. Leaf Rapids/South Indian/Lynn Lake 4. Within Manitoba 5. Out of Province 6. Unknown Addresses On Reserve Voters List is then divided into six (6) voters list as follows: 1. Bayroad 2. New Area/Moores Bay & Cove 3. Westwood, Hillside, School Area, Sawmill & Michelle Point 4. Dog Point & Wasasihk 5. RC Point, Little RC, Metis & New Subdivision 6. Travelling Poll (Elders, Infirm and Disabled)

11(4)(d) confirming the dates for the receipt of mail-in ballots if they will be used during the election Mail-In Ballots Ends – 1 day before Election Day (paper ballots) to avoid duplicate voting. Mail In Ballot must have a Postage Stamped on or before August 25, 2026.

11(3) Council elections shall be held on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday in August every four (4) years unless (a) only one of the days falls within the fourth week, in which case the election shall be held on the third Wednesday and Thursday in August of that year;

21(1) Within seven (7) days after the election any candidate may request a recount by submitting such request to the electoral officer, in which case the electoral officer shall give all candidates and voters three (3) days notice that a recount has been requested, following which the electoral officer shall immediately convene a meeting of the candidates and the deputy electoral officer to recount the ballots

21(5) Within seven (7) days after the election any candidate or voter who voted may file an appeal with the Appeal Committee if that person has reasonable grounds to believe there was: a) a violation of this Election Law which may affect the results of the election; or b) a corrupt practice occurred in connection with the election, which may affect the results of the election, including any attempt to influence voter intentions through the purchase of, or contribution to the purchase of, alcohol, drugs or other gifts for voters, excluding candidate promotional items used during the election.

20 (1) – EO shall give all candidates and voters a 3 day notice Recount of Ballots

21 (3) Any candidate who requested a recount pursuant to subsection (1) may appeal the decision of the EO to the Appeal Committee within seven (7) days of the decision.

22(1) The electoral officer shall hold a public swearing in ceremony where the chief designate and each councillor shall swear or affirm an Oath of Allegiance, an Oath of Office and an Oath of Confidentiality in the form set out in Schedules “A”, “B” and “C”.

10 After each council election, the electoral officer shall make a written report within fourteen (14) days, to council on the conduct of the council election , and may make recommendations about amendments to this Election Law or the procedures to be followed during council elections, and council shall make this report available to NCN citizens within thirty (30) days of receiving it by posting a notice on the NCN website and at the NCN government office advising where the report can be obtained.

21(10) The Appeal Committee shall make a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of an appeal unless there are extenuating circumstances that make it impossible to do so, but an application to court for a stay of proceedings shall not be considered extenuating circumstances, unless a court orders the Appeal Committee to suspend its hearing of the appeal until such time as the court has rendered a decision.

If there are no appeals then Council Orientation can be held on September 13 – 16, 2026