Candidate files appeal over election result for Gwich'in Tribal Council grand chief

A candidate who ran to be Gwich'in Tribal Council grand chief says he's filing an appeal after losing the election Monday night.

Preliminary results indicated Ken Kyikavichik, who was elected grand chief in 2020, lost his bid for re-election Monday. Frederick Blake Jr. received 604 votes to Kyikavichik's 515.

On Tuesday evening, Kyikavichik posted on his Facebook page that he filed an appeal.

"There were false accusations and statements that potentially impacted the outcome," he wrote.

"It was not an easy decision but one that warrants a review in light of the election offences that I believe have occurred under our election policy."

Arlene Hansen, the election's chief returning officer, told CBC an appeal citing an election offence was filed Tuesday morning.

Hansen said an investigation into the complaint would start Wednesday.

"We have five days from when the appeal was placed to investigate and make recommendations and write a report and then we submit the report to the board," she said.

The Gwich'in Tribal Council's board will then consider the recommendations and make a decision.

Hansen did not comment on the nature of the appeal or the offence they are investigating.

There are 12 different offences in the Gwich'in Tribal Council's election policy, and a complaint could be about a voter, candidate, candidate representative or election official.

The results for the election remain preliminary until the board makes a decision on the appeal.

CBC News has reached out to both candidates for comment.