It's looking like a big recount battle is looming for the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

On Sunday, unofficial results put Bill John Baker in the principal chief's position by 11 votes. But on Monday, the election commission said the official tally gave incumbent Chad Smith the win by 7 votes.

Baker is now planning to ask for a recount. He has until 5pm on Wednesday to make the request, The Cherokee Phoenix reported.

Smith has served three terms and sought re-election despite the presence of a two-term limit in the tribal constitution. He argued in tribal court that the limit was imposed after he started his second term so he said it didn't apply to his first two terms.

Get the Story:
Baker to seek recount (The Cherokee Phoenix 6/28)
Smith wins 'official' count (The Tulsa World 6/28)
Smith certified as principal chief (The Cherokee Phoenix 6/27)
Cherokee officials reverse election results, say longtime chief re-elected after bitter race (AP 6/27)
CN Election Commission names Smith winner of chief's race (The Tahlequah Daily Press 6/27)

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Cherokee Nation headed to polls on Saturday to choose chief (6/21)
Pat Ragsdale: Chad Smith is right choice for Cherokee chief (6/15)
Cherokee Nation releases plane logs but costs not reported (6/15)
Candidates for chief of Cherokee Nation debate the issues (6/7)
Opinion: Re-elect Chad Smith as leader of Cherokee Nation (6/1)
Cherokee Nation urges members to vote in tribal election (4/25)
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Cherokee Nation set for election for principal chief, deputy chief (3/15)