“We are a Nation of laws. I took an oath to uphold the law,” Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly said following his veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution No. CO-47-14 yesterday.

The resolution was of an emergency legislation to amend election law that was narrowly approved in the early morning hours of October 24. As ICTMN reported, the legislation was written to be retroactive and apply to the pending election that has seen controversy surrounding Chris Deschene’s Navajo fluency being questioned.

RELATED: Deschene Out of Navajo Election, Presidential Vote Looks to Be Postponed

The purpose of the legislation was to allow voters to choose their leaders and determine candidates’ language proficiency without discarding the fluency requirement.

The amendments would be the first major overhaul to the election code since 1990 according to a Navajo Nation press release.

“The decision to amend the language requirements in Title 11, the Navajo Nation Election Code, must be brought before the Navajo people through a referendum vote,” Shelly said. “This decision is far too important and it is one the people need to decide on.”

Shelly went on to say that the language amendments were a step in the right direction, there are other considerations to be taken into account and that a thorough review of the code with ways to address it would be more beneficial than a piecemeal approach.

“This election cycle has been mired in debate and controversy over issues regarding the fluency qualifications of candidates for elected office,” President Shelly said.

The election process is still up in the air, as Deschene has not removed himself from the race as reported by Felicia Fonseca for the AP. Deschene’s spokeswoman Stacy Pearson said he will continue to monitor the decisions made.

Following the President’s veto, Deschene released a statement, which he posted on his campaign’s Facebook page, “It is with tremendous pride in our campaign and disappointment with the President’s veto, that the future of my candidacy is uncertain. The Board of Election Supervisors has firmly protected our fundamental right to choose our own leader. They have yet to change their position despite the court’s determination.”

The Navajo Supreme Court on October 23 ordered the elections be postponed with new ballots to be reprinted immediately without Deschene’s name on them. With around 8,000 absentee and early ballots already being turned in, according to AP. Leaving dozens of Deschene supporters angry on Tuesday.

“The Navajo Nation Supreme Court ordered the 2014 ballots to be reprinted and the election unavoidably rescheduled to ensure a valid election. I therefore exercise my veto authority,” Shelly said.

Meanwhile, Leonard Tsosie of the Council introduced legislation at 6:30 p.m. yesterday to override Shelly’s veto. This legislation according to the Council will be eligible for committee action on November 3, the day before the original elections between Deschene and Joe Shirley Jr. were scheduled to take place.

Tsosie’s override will require 15 votes in a special session according to AP.

“I understand the concern about the language, but we can work together to revive that,” Tsosie told AP.

Shirley Jr. has stated he would not support any effort to change tribal law in regards to tribal fluency.

“It’s too early to speculate the future of my service to the Navajo people. I have spent my career helping to solve serious problems facing our nation,” Deschene said. “Again, thank you for your contribution to our democratic process. Your voice needs to be heard. Vote. And let’s walk together with pride and peace.”

“Diné bizaad is sacred. Navajo leaders should have both language and cultural fluency in order to [be] qualified. Every society has an obligation to hold onto their traditions,” Shelly said.