Yellowknife (Jan 15/07) - A court challenge by a Hay Riverite asking for a re-election of Hay River town council was in court again Friday, to ask for court direction on how to proceed.

Lawyers Sheila MacPherson and Michael Hansen presented a joint request to have the matter ordered to case management. MacPherson was representing Wayne Keefe, who is requesting the re-election. Hansen is lawyer for Hay River's elections returning officer.

Case management is direction from the court on administrative issues, said Hansen.

It would benefit both lawyers to have it, he said.

They were requesting case management because of the complexity of the situation, and the expectation that it will go to trial, said MacPherson.

The direction would help decide who would be served notice in the case of a trial and what documents would be required, said MacPherson.

Hansen urged the court that the matter be dealt with in a timely matter, saying he is aware of similar election situations that continued for years before being resolved.

"We don't want a situation where too little time is taken or too much time," said Hansen.

The issue at stake is the community's municipal election, held in October.

Keefe's concerns include allegations that the daughter of John Pollard, the successful mayoral candidate, was counting ballots.

Documents filed by Keefe also state that a ballot box was opened at one point and there was confusion over how and where to vote.

The decision to order case management is up to Chief Justice Ted Richard.