The Chief Electoral Officer recommended late last week that preparations should continue to hold the 29th Provincial General Election this October. This recommendation is based on public health advice from the Chief Medical Health Officer as well as input from provincial electoral stakeholders.
“Earlier today, I sent a letter to Premier Scott Moe to inform him that, at present, from a public health and electoral operational perspective, there is no reason Saskatchewan should not continue to prepare for a general election on its legislatively scheduled date of Oct. 26, 2020,” said Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan, on Sept. 4.
“This conclusion was formed, in part, based on the advice and information provided by an electoral advisory group. It was also informed by input from the chief official agents of the province’s registered political parties, as well as from Elections Saskatchewan’s field leadership team throughout the province and our head office leadership team here in Regina.”
The electoral advisory group met four times over the past three months and consisted of:
- Michael Boda, Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer;
- Saqib Shahab, the Province’s Chief Medical Health Officer;
- The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Government House Leader; and
- Cathy Sproule, Opposition House Leader
While not a decision-making body, the advisory group was an important mechanism that helped to inform the Chief Electoral Officer’s public recommendation on the viability of an October 26 election. Dr. Boda had committed to make this public recommendation in early May.
“I would like to thank all three external members of the group,” Dr. Boda said. “Their input and participation helped to shape my recommendation, ensuring that the coming general election can be conducted safely and with integrity.”
Elections Saskatchewan (ESK) is the province’s nonpartisan election management body and an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. ESK directs and supervises the administration of provincial electoral events, including the 2020 provincial election.
Information for voters, workers, media, candidates and parties is available at www.elections.sk.ca.