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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