Don’t vote for me, Lynda Gunn says

When Iqaluit voters ponder their election ballots on Oct. 20, they’ll find the name of an incumbent councillor who doesn’t want their votes and who doesn’t want to be re-elected.

That candidate is Lynda Gunn, who says she must now withdraw from the race.

That’s because she recently accepted a job as chief executive officer of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, and she says she can’t do that job and also serve on a municipal council.

“It’s with regret that I leave the upcoming municipal ballot as councillor candidate, because I feel that I should withdraw after accepting a position with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities as chief executive officer,” Gunn said.

It’s now too late, however, for her name to be removed from the ballot.

“It does say in the act that when people are nominated, their nomination stands and they have 48 hours to withdraw after they have been nominated. That’s a long time gone,” returning officer Dennis Egeyedy said.

That 48-hour period, began after the close of nominations on Sept. 15. Egeyedy said this year’s election ballots have already been printed anyway.

“To take somebody off, that’s impossible,” Egeyedy said.

Gunn, therefore, is advising people not to vote for her.

She says she didn’t know about the NAM job offer until after that 48-hour period had expired.

“Even if a candidate passes away prior to the election and after that 48-hour period passes, I’m advised it’s too late,” Gunn said.

Egeyedy said the only step he’s allowed to take is to post a notice in polling stations, signed by him, stating that Lynda Gunn has withdrawn.

But if anyone does vote for Gunn, those votes must be counted, Egeyedy said.

“She could still win,” Egeyedy said.

“She would be declared a winner, but then when it came to the swearing-in ceremony, which is on the first Monday of November, then she just wouldn’t accept,” he said.

“After that, council’s legal options include nominating someone to fill the empty spot — for one year — or to call a by-election,” Egeyedy said.