Chief Electoral Officer

JOSH WATT

Josh Watt was appointed as Manitoba’s Chief Electoral Officer on 15 July 2026. The all-party Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly recommended the appointment, which was subsequently confirmed by the adoption of a resolution by the Legislative Assembly.

Hailing from a small rural community in Manitoba, Josh’s career has been devoted to promoting equity, access, social justice and reconciliation for all Manitobans. He holds several academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Law and Political Science from Carleton University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Manitoba/University of Winnipeg, a Master of Education from the University of Manitoba, and the Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School, as well as training in peacekeeping, post-conflict reconstruction and democratization from the United Nations Institute of Training and Research. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a proud member of Manitoba’s francophone community.

Josh’s career has been dedicated to public service and promoting the greater good of community for more than 20 years. Prior to being named as Chief Electoral Officer, he served as Executive Director of the Manitoba School Boards Association for over a decade. Previously, he was a senior public servant with the Department of Education and the Council on Post-Secondary Education.

Josh seeks to advance his lifelong commitment to the people and province of Manitoba, and to promoting democratic integrity, through his service as Manitoba’s Chief Electoral Officer.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

The Chief Electoral Officer administers provincial elections to ensure they are fair and free of political influence as set out in The Elections Act and The Election Financing Act. Reporting to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the CEO must be non-partisan and may not vote in an election.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (Elections Manitoba) must always be ready to conduct elections, byelections, and referenda. Elections Manitoba enables all qualified Manitobans to vote in provincial elections by:

promoting voting opportunities to all voters
educating voters about the electoral process
helping registered parties, candidates, official agents and financial officers comply with election legislation

A report on the conduct of each election and annual reports about Elections Manitoba's activities are made to the Legislative Assembly and may include recommendations for legislative changes.

The Commissioner of Elections is appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer in consultation with all political parties, and is responsible for prosecuting violations of election law.

CEO Responsibilities

ensuring fairness, impartiality and compliance with election law
promoting voting opportunities to all voters
educating voters about the electoral process
helping political parties, candidates, official agents and chief financial officers comply with election legislation
communicating with election officials, political parties, constituency associations, candidates, official agents and chief financial officers
publishing election results in the Statement of Votes

Some of these activities continue between general elections.

PAST CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICERS

Ms. Shipra Verma: Chief Electoral Officer, 2013 - 2025; Acting Chief Electoral Officer, 2010 - 2013

Mr. Richard Balasko: Chief Electoral Officer, 1990-2010; Acting Chief Electoral Officer, 1989-1990

Mr. Richard Willis: Chief Electoral Officer, 1980-1989

Elections Manitoba

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