The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, appointed as the Municipal Electoral Officer, exercises general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of municipal elections, enforces on the part of the twelve Municipal Returning Officers, fairness, impartiality and compliance with the Municipal Elections Act and issues to elections officers such instructions as are considered necessary to ensure effective execution of the Act.

The Office is responsible for all of the planning, coordination, reporting and monitoring of these elections.

The Office must be ready to hold municipal elections every three years on the second Monday in May (May 11, 1998 in this case) and be ready at all times to run by-elections as vacancies arise for mayors or councillors due to resignations or deaths.