Judge reserves decision in Alberta Party leader's challenge of 5-year election ban

Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel will need to wait until next week to find out if he will be allowed to run in the next election.

An Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judgereserved her decision inMandel's challenge of five-year ban imposed by Elections Alberta for failing to file nomination expense documents on time.

Justice Gaylene Kendell told the court she will announce her decision by the end of next week. Mandel was not present when Kendellmade her announcement.

Mandel, Alberta Party candidate for Edmonton-McClung,isfacing a five-year ineligibility period ending Sept. 27, 2023, meaning he would not be allowed to run in the next two provincial elections.

Elections Alberta imposed a deadline of Sept. 12 forexpense documents relating toMandel'snomination contest.

Mandel's financial statement is stamped by Elections Alberta as received on Sept. 27.

• Dispute over dates, CFO's illness blamed for missed deadline: Mandel lawyers
• Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel deemed ineligible to run until 2023

In an affidavit, Mandel's CFO BrianHeidecker cited a sudden and severe stress-related illness that caused him to miss the deadline.

"My incapacity and inability to work during this period of illness was the reason that I was unable to complete and file Mr. Mandel's return by the CEO's filing deadline," Heidecker said in the affidavit.