Nunavut’s upcoming territorial government is set to have a blend of familiar faces and new entrants, as several former MLAs, including the deputy premier, were unsuccessful in retaining their seats in the recent election. Pamela Gross, the former deputy premier from Cambridge Bay, was defeated by Kitikmeot Inuit Association executive director Fred Pedersen, who secured more than half of the votes. Notable losses also included Adam Arreak Lightstone in Iqaluit-Manirajak and former regular caucus chair Solomon Malliki in Aivilik.
The voter turnout stood at 37 percent, as reported by Elections Nunavut. The elected officials include both familiar and fresh faces. Among the re-elected members are Craig Simailak in Baker Lake, John Main in Arviat-North Whale Cove, Daniel Qavvik in Hudson Bay, and others. Newcomers like Hannah Angootealuk in Avilik, Abraham Qammaniq in Ammituq, and Jamie Kablutsiak in Arviat South were also successful in their bids.
Recounts are anticipated in at least three ridings due to very close results. Notably, the Pangnirtung riding saw a mere two-vote margin between the top two candidates. The timing of the election results posting was delayed, with only one winner announced before midnight. The chief electoral officer, Kiran Situt, mentioned the careful verification process and late arrival of special ballots as reasons for the delay.
The trend of declining voter turnout in Nunavut is a concern, with less than half of eligible voters participating in the recent election, contrasting sharply with the 86 percent turnout in the inaugural 1999 election. Manitok Thompson, one of Nunavut’s first MLAs, attributed voter apathy to the government’s perceived sluggishness in addressing critical issues like high living costs and housing shortages. The youth vote is crucial, given that nearly half of Nunavut’s population is under 25 years old, although youth voter registration was low in the previous territorial election.
Approximately 17,000 voters were registered for this year’s general election, with Nunavut’s consensus-style government featuring independent candidates instead of political parties. The selection of the Speaker, premier, and ministers will take place around two weeks after the election through a secret-ballot process.