six of the seven members resigned in january 2007 in the belief that they were "assisting to legitimise a democracy that doesn't really exist on ascension island". the exact preceding quote and its citation does not exist , but a memorandum sent by a group of ascension island residents suggests that the handling of economic development, taxation and representation led to the dispute and that all six councillors resigned (five of them at once). the memorandum states, "the elected council has been used to legitimise an illegitimate system that has never been a true democracy and, it seems, was never intended to be." the counter-argument was that as the island has no indigenous population whatsoever, it is in an unusual political position. consequently, a general election was called, but by the close of nominations, there were only two candidates. the election was abandoned, and the governor suspended the island council for 12 months. it was stated that an election would take place in april 2008 but following consultations this was extended to october. eventually, candidates were elected to form a new island council, which was sworn in on 27 october 2008.