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Ernest Betsina elected Ndilo chief Former band councillor squeezes out victory, winning by one vote
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 12, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
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If there was ever any doubt whether a single vote could make a difference, last night's election for Ndilo chief is all the proof you need.
Ernest Betsina is congratulated by Harvey Field from Ndilo after being elected chief by a single vote over his closest competitor, Shirley Tsetta, on Tuesday. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
Ernest Betsina was elected chief with 122 votes, giving him a one vote margin over his closest rival Shirley Tsetta, who received 121 votes. Acting chief Roy Erasmus Sr. came in third place with 108 votes.
"People have lost trust in council, I need to gain that back again," said Betsina, in a speech to a crowd of around 100 people who waited at the Ndilo gym until after 11 p.m. to hear the election results announced.
Because the margin between him and Tsetta was so small, Betsina's victory was not announced until the Yellowknives Dene First Nation's election office conducted a recount of the votes.
The results are still only preliminary, and Tsetta told Yellowknifer she plans to appeal the decision based on the proxy and mail-in votes.
"I called the returning officer and told her that I'm putting in an appeal," said Tsetta early Wednesday morning.
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