Letter to the editor: Navajo Nation Supreme Court off base with election decision

Letter to the editor:

It's beyond belief that our Navajo Supreme Court decides to quash the highest authority of Navajo law that is based on law fulfilled by the Navajo Nation Council. The power of being the governing body of the Navajo Nation can only be altered by that body.

But yet it is quietly still in place by our fundamental law of the land. It's like having a supposedly three-branch government mocking each other's powers without legality of a soliciting vote from the Navajo, who are the basic electorate body.

This was heightened because our present governance doesn't have a clear division of checks and balances, which our Navajo people denied with no referendum vote. Now the power of essential authority is being battered by our judicial branch. A single party verdict is called where it leads elected leaders into further chaos regarding its power of consent.

It's happening because of a couple of unhappy candidates, who were removed from consideration to get on the general ballot by a proper primary election. In that fruitless position, they are not following the laws of the Navajo Nation to express their dispute justifiably. They didn't submit their dispute right away before or after the primary election. The election law that mandates direct action within a 10 day grace period for disputes was disregarded.

That action was compounded by the Navajo Supreme Court taking up the matter for further debate in challenging tribal election laws. The court seems to be instituting change in the law of our Nation by allowing continued mistrust. It puts our Navajo voters in awe on how the matter is being handled irresponsibly.

An excellent decision was legislated by our Navajo Nation Council to further secure the improper handling of the disenfranchised Diné vote. It was a sound exercise in legislating a fair and impartial primary and general election to settle this chaotic situation that was created without legal grounds.

It was to allow all Diné voters to have their chance in being entitled respect for their previous primary votes. This was to allow the Navajo electorate to participate in the important election process. Thus, an appropriate balance must be held to allow all of the electorate to cast their ballots when a proper election is called.

Because of this conflict and people's displeasure, there are voices expressing the idea to not cast ballots in this rushed election ordered by our Supreme Court. Or, some people are planning to stay home because of their dissatisfaction in supporting distrusted and not talented candidates.

On the contrary, it seems assured choice has been nullified and voided by our Supreme Court with a denial decree in having a fair primary and general election process. It certainly will disenfranchise voters in electing true leaders within a free election.

It's time to legitimately pass an extended directive to further clarify to avoid putting in place the dilemma in disrespecting our Navajo laws. Sadly, it was through misguided advisement and evolved with faulty decisions by our court. But for our Diné voters, it is in their best interest to not be intimidated by a few politicos causing a commotion.

A resolution is needed for a proper, fair and reasonable election for Diné in electing strong leaders who are well prepared to lead and suitably aware of our voters' rights. That focus is to choose our leaders by holding legally based elections through proper respect of people's civil rights as Diné.

Adolph June

Kaibeto, Arizona

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