Navajo Presidential Candidate Chris Deschene has been disqualified as a presidential candidate according to a report Thursday afternoon from the Navajo Times. Deschene has been running against former Navajo President, Joe Shirley Junior.

After bouncing around the Navajo court system for several weeks, it was decided by Chief Hearing Officer, Richie Nez, at the Office of Hearings and Appeals, that Mr. Deschene does not meet the qualifications to be the Navajo President because he does not speak the Navajo Language fluently. The Office of Hearings and Appeals is part of the Navajo Nation judicial system.

Chris Deschene has ten days in which to appeal Thursday’s decision. Reports indicate that he says he will appeal.