No requirement for Selinger to resign during leadership race: Olfert

NDP President Ellen Olfert says Premier Greg Selinger spoke via conference call and has the support of the party executive. (Photo by Ben Miljure/CTV)

WINNIPEG - The president of the Manitoba NDP provincial executive says she doesn't think Premier Greg Selinger should have to step aside if he faces a leadership race.

Party president Ellen Olfert says in a news release that the issue was studied and legal experts were consulted.

Olfert says there's nothing in the party's constitution, the Elections Act or the Elections Financing Act that would require the

Selinger faces a rebellion within his party, as a half-dozen NDP legislature members, including five former cabinet ministers, have called for him to step down.

He has challenged his critics to run against him at the convention and said he plans to stay on as leader into the next election in 2016.

Olfert says the party executive has approved the recommendations from a special committee that was struck to come up with rules for a leadership contest, and that they will be brought to the NDP provincial council on Dec. 6.