election

Nelson Sergerie, LJI journalist

GASPÉ: – Two candidates who finished neck and neck in the September 8 election for Chief of the Micmac Nation of Gespeg are contesting the results. 

Initially, Mark Sinnett received 144 votes, Yan Tapp received 143, and Céline Cassivi received 122 votes. 

After three recounts, the result was established at 143 votes for each of the top two candidates. 

As outlined in the Electoral Code, a random draw will determine who will be elected Chief of the Micmac Nation of Gespeg, however, both candidates described that method as nonsense, during an interview on September 18. 

“We don’t want to participate in a draw to become the chief to represent our community. I don’t think that’s being well received, I don’t think it’s credible for our community. We want to unite our community and not divide it,” explains Mark Sinnett. 

According to the two candidates, the members didn’t all receive the pertinent information regarding the election.  “There was a serious failure, and the turnout shows that people weren’t even aware that there was an election in Gespeg,” adds Mr. Sinnett. 

“In all transparency, we discussed the election and the process and, at one point, we decided that enough was enough and that we had to contest the election as a whole. We believe that all members should have been informed at the outset of the election process to have an election that reflects the community,” adds Yan Tapp. 

Distrust had been circulating around the election since June when members of the Nation questioned a proposed amendment to the Electoral Code suggesting that, in addition to the chief, seven of the eight councillors remain in Gaspé. 

Confidence was shaken as several members had questioned a lack of transparency on the part of the Council in the last few months, and maybe even years. 

“We lost our chief about eight or nine months ago. It’s not a lack of intention on the part of the council, but when there is no leader, there are a lot of questions from our members about the leadership of the council at the moment,” explains Mr. Sinnett, referring to Terry Shaw’s resignation for personal and professional reasons in January. 

The Electoral Code provides that, in the event of a dispute, a committee of three individuals must make the decision. 

“We’d like to start over. We know it won’t necessarily unfold the same way. We know there will be a lot of contestation. Yan and I didn’t make this decision lightly. We talked to each other and decided it was the best decision for the community’s future,” continues Mr. Sinnett. 

Mr. Tapp also says it’s “for the good of the community. We are two people who are not there for our personal gain, but for the benefit of the community.” 

The returning officer will need to notify Gespeg’s administrator regarding the next step concerning the election. “We’re going to do what we must do to have a new, complete election,” says Mr. Sinnett. 

Out of the approximately 2,200 members of the Micmac Nation of Gespeg, only about 420 participated in the election. 

SPEC attempted to reach the president of the election but was unsuccessful.