ARCTIC RED RIVER - You know how they say "every vote counts?"

It's never been more true than it was in Tsiigehtchic last week.

On June 18, Frederick Blake Jr. was selected as Tsiigehtchic's new Gwich'ya Gwich'in Chief.

Russel Andre received the same number of votes as Frederick Blake Jr. However, he lost the final random draw, which is prescribed as a tie-breaker by hamlet bylaws.

Blake won the post by a draw, after he and Russel Andre both earned 27 votes.

Hamlet returning officer Anna May Macleod said both names were placed in a ballot box, and the winner chosen at random.

"We placed them both in and shook them around, then selected the winner" she said, adding this is the correct way to proceed under the hamlet's bylaws in case of a tie.

Third place contender Philip Blake earned 24 votes.

While Russel Andre or Frederick Blake Jr. could not be reached as of press time, Tsiigehtchic's former chief Peter Ross said there might be an appeal.

Ross said one ballot was judged to be spoiled because it was written outside the lines.

He did not say whom he thought the ballot was intended for.

"One of the chiefs had 28 votes but one of the ballots was written outside the lines and the scrutineers counted it as a spoiled ballot," he said.

Asked whether Frederick Blake Jr. was the new chief, Ross said it was too early to tell.

"Well, supposedly, he is the new chief," Ross said. "But now there is word going around that the other candidate (Russel Andre) might contest it," he said.

As of June 18, Andre had 72 hours to call for a recount, and 14 days to file a claim with the supreme court.

Whether or not he intends to launch an appeal was available as of press time.

While the selection of the new chief might have been controversial, Ross said everything went well in selecting council.

The new members are Alestine Andre, Jennifer Andre, Elaine Blake, Archie Norbert and John Norbert, each earned more than 50 of the 76 total votes. Two voters cast ballots for council but not for Chief.

The new chief and councillors will take office next month, and if Tsiigehtchic does not get mired in challenges and legal conflicts, the hamlet's next election is scheduled for June 2009.