29th Electoral Cycle Communique for Chief Official Agents, Issue Thirty

RPP Annual Return Deadline Change

Change to Registered Political Party Annual Return Deadline

With the ongoing interruptions caused by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Elections Saskatchewan will not require registered political parties to submit audited annual returns by the deadline of April 30, 2020. At present, we will not provide a new deadline, but we would ask your auditor to prioritize your annual return once they begin rescheduling engagements. Given the circumstances, please follow the process outlined below:  

• If you are able to submit an audited annual return by April 30, please do so;
• If you are unable to obtain audit services, please provide confirmation from your auditor indicating that they are not proceeding with any fieldwork and obtain confirmation about what process they will undertake to reschedule previously scheduled audits and advise us of this;
• Registered political parties must scan and email a completed annual return before April 30, 2020 even if it has not yet been audited. Any supporting documentation that can be emailed should be sent with the return. If possible, please provide details of donations and tax receipts issued, in a spreadsheet.

Once normal business resumes, your return must be audited and a copy, along with all documentation, including tax receipts, must be provided to us. The supporting documentation should include records of contributions and tax receipts issued.

No unaudited returns will be posted online. Instead, a message will be placed on our website letting the public know that we have extended the deadline for the filing of audited returns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

My team and I genuinely appreciate your willingness to work with us under unprecedented circumstances. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Colin.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Boda
Chief Electoral Officer
Province of Saskatchewan