Elections NWT official recommends bank account requirement be dropped for candidates

Anew report published by Elections NWT has found that the lack of banks in the territory's smaller communities is making it difficult for political candidates to follow rules surrounding campaign contributions.

The reporta set of supplementary recommendations to a report tabled last yearstates that in order to follow election rules,candidates in territorial elections must set up bank accounts for campaign contributions, and then report those donations post-election.

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However, only 22 of the territory's 33 communities have chartered banks or approved institutions like a Co-operative or Northmart.

"This means that Official Agents from 33% of our communities are without financial services and at a significant disadvantage, as bank accounts cannot be opened in absentia," the report reads.

Nicole Latour, the territory's chief electoral officer,recommended to MLAsWednesday during a Standing Committee meeting thatthe requirement be dropped and replaced with a balance sheet and supporting documentation, such as receipts.

"We're faced with chasing down candidates and official agents to get proper documentation, or to correct errors, or gain and understanding of how they filled it out, why it doesn't make sense for us," she said. "That's costly. And it takes time and effort."

According to Latour, the process of reconciling financial reports of candidates in smaller communities can often take months.

In addition to changing the accountability requirements, the report also recommends that penalties for filing financial reports late or not at allbe increased from $250, which Latour says is not enough of a deterrent.

"We spend thousands of dollars to track someone down for $250," she said, suggesting that the amount be increased or the government look at other deterrents, such as suspending candidates' driver's licenses.