Navajo president to stay on until election sorted out

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – The Navajo Nation Supreme Court on Saturday effectively allowed current President Ben Shelly to continue serving, filling the void created by a lack of a presidential election.

The court vacated a hearing without ruling against an agreement set between Shelly and the Navajo Nation Council, according to Navajo officials. Shelly will retain presidential duties at least until the new council's winter session starts Jan. 26. Lawmakers will then discuss the next steps to chart, the council speakers' office said in a news release.

Shelly, whose term was set to expire Tuesday, will be sworn into office again during inauguration ceremonies in Fort Defiance.

The Navajo Nation Department of Justice filed a petition last month seeking the court clarify who would be acting president. The Office of Legislative Counsel argued that the council speaker should fill the role.

Deswood Tome, Shelly's spokesman, said that the president signed off on legislation implementing a special presidential election shortly after the court hearing Saturday.

The bill calls for a June 2 primary election and an Aug. 4 general election.

“It is in the best interest of the Navajo people that we give the thousands of voters a new opportunity to choose their next leaders,” Shelly said in a statement. “A new election will restore some hope among the voters and the people that their voice will be heard.”

Under the newly approved legislation, the 17 who ran in the primary election last August could run again and have the $1,500 filing fee waived, but new candidates would have to pay the fee. Russell Begaye and former tribal President Joe Shirley Jr. had been set to face off before the special election bill was passed by lawmakers.

The presidential race was thrown into turmoil before the tribe's Nov. 4 general election when candidate Chris Deschene was disqualified because of a ruling that he wasn't fluent in the Navajo language.