Fort McPherson (Dec 22/03) - Fort McPherson voters may return to the polls in the New Year after complaints were filed about polling practices during the municipal election held earlier this month.

On Dec. 8, incumbent mayor Gordon Clark lost his seat by one vote to Philip Blake. The vote was 99-98.

Since then, several verbal complaints and one written complaint have been submitted to Municipal and Community Affairs chief returning officer Gail Cyr last week.

Although Cyr wouldn't comment about the complaints, Brad Heath, communications and policy advisor for MACA, confirmed that complaints have been filed. He said six people were admitted to the polling station 15 minutes after the 7 p.m. closing time.

Clark, who didn't file a complaint himself, said he wasn't too concerned about losing the election, but worries about the process that led to his defeat.

"I looked at (the results) the first time and I accepted it, but then issues came up," said Clark, who had been snowed-in in Whitehorse on election day.

But process is important, said Clark.

"I think there should be a re-election if the process wasn't right. The process has to be right. Why make an election act (if you're not going to follow it)."

Rebecca Blake, the former mayor of Fort McPherson, said she was approached by several people about the election controversy.

She wrote a letter to council demanding to know what was happening.

"I think with it being one vote (between them) it has brought it to attention," she said of the supposed extra voters.

"Everything is under a magnifying glass because of that one vote."

Nonetheless, she said things are beginning to quiet down in the hamlet of 900 residents.

But she said if council doesn't deal with the concerns people might not take voting seriously the next time around.

"It's hard enough to get a good turn out," she said.

Because the complaints were launched after the polls had closed, Cyr no longer has authority over the election.

The issue is now in the hands of lawyers and the Supreme Court of the NWT.

Troy Jenkins, hamlet senior administrative officer, said a petition will be sent to the Supreme Court of the NWT in early January asking the court to grant a re-election.

"In the meantime the hamlet is now seeking legal advice about what to do," said Jenkins.

Clark's tenure as mayor ends Dec. 31. Jenkins doesn't know what will happen after that.

"Legal council will advise us on who to put in his place temporarily," said Jenkins.

"If there is no mayor in place then (administration) will have to work with council as a whole and I'm quite confident this council can represent the people of Fort McPherson," said Jenkins.

Mayor-elect Philip Blake declined to comment about the re-election.

"It's out of my hands," he said.

Returning officer, Lillian Snowshoe, also declined to comment. Poll clerk, Lisa Neyando, was unavailable for comment at press time.