Francis Pumpkin Seed, the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Election Commission chairman, calls a recent audit of the election commission’s documents related to the tribe’s Nov. 6 general election. “Nothing.” He says the election commission may be looking at pursuing charges of slander against those tribal members who started rumors regarding the election commission’s handling of the recent biennial election on the Pine Ridge Reservation. FILE PHOTO
Unofficially, Bryan Brewer was the top vote-getter for president in the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s general election. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the OST Election Commission will certify Brewer as the tribe’s new president Wednesday, Nov. 14, and he will take the oath of office early next month. FILE PHOTO
OST election audit yields nothing
Election commission may take legal action
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Staff Writer PINE RIDGE — The Oglala Sioux Tribe Election Commission on Friday, Nov. 9, was subject to a brief audit by the OST Attorney General’s office. Responding to the complaints of tribal member Julie Two Eagle, Oglala Sioux Tribe Attorney General Tatewin Means asked to review certain documents pertaining to the general election of Nov. 6 that were in the possession of the election commission. The documents, which were located within the election commission’s office in Pine Ridge, were quickly deemed in compliance with OST election regulations by Means, according to Francis Pumpkin Seed, chairman of the tribe’s election commission. “They came in and looked over our stuff and didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. It was nothing,” Pumpkin Seed told Native Sun News Nov. 12. Recently, there has been speculation swirling about voter fraud and the eligibility of certain candidates who had run and who had been high vote-getters in the Nov. 6 general election. However, Pumpkin Seed feels that things are running on schedule. “We will go ahead and certify the election on Wednesday (Nov. 14). We are not happy about being audited, and we may be looking at pursuing charges against those (tribal members) who have started all those rumors for slander,” Pumpkin Seed adds. Turnout for the recent general election was greater than usual, with thousands across the Pine Ridge Reservation casting their ballots. Political newcomer Bryan Brewer was the highest vote-getter on election night and — barring any dramatic developments — will be officially declared the new president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “I don’t think it has anything to do with me or my votes,” said Brewer. “There have been a lot of rumors out there, but I think things are going to be OK. I am looking forward to getting started.” Brewer, along with the newly elected tribal council members, will take office in early December. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)
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