M’Chigeeng election results thrown out – new election

A Manitoulin Island First Nation will have to hold another election after a successful appeal to throw out the results of the September election.

Incumbent Linda Debassige was returned as chief of the M’Chigeeng First Nation in September’s band council elections by a substantial margin.
However, she says, an appeal of the results was made to the Election Appeal Committee.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, October 3^rd, the committee deemed the appeal to be a valid one and found the election in contravention of the M’Chigeeng First Nation Election Code.

The appeal focused on the ‘failure to maintain a membership register in accordance with the First Nation’s membership code.”

Debassige says that means the September election results are now set aside and a new election will have to be held.

She adds day-to-day operations will continue until the new election is held.

A date for the election is expected to be set within the next week or so.