Quebec Cree to hold run-off election for grand chief

A decision will be made today regarding the dates for a run-off election in the race for Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief of the Cree Nation in Quebec.

A run-off election became necessary in both races when no candidate received 50 per cent plus one in the vote.

Outgoing Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come came close to a first ballot win with 49.33 per cent of the vote.

His closest rival, Ashley Iserhoff, got 33.76 per cent of ballots cast.

Lawrence Jimiken, the chief returning officer for the Cree Nation, said he is looking at three dates for a run-off: July 24, 25 or 26.

"Hopefully the candidate will be able to get a period of orientation prior to the general assembly," he said.

The Annual General Assembly will be held the first week of August in Wemindji, Que.

The release of the results was delayed Monday aftera damaged fibre optic cable cut off phone and internet service to several Cree communities.

In the race for Deputy Grand Chief there will also be a run-off between Rodney Mark and Linda Lillian Shecapio.

Rodney Mark is currently the Chief of the community of Wemindji and Linda Lillian Shecapio is a spokesperson with the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association.

Mark got 20.09 per cent of the vote and Shecapio got 17.16 per cent.

Only 41 per cent of the more than 12,000 eligible voters cast a ballot, which was down from the last Grand Council elections in 2009.