Blizzard delays municipal elections in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region

(Updated at 3:30 p.m.)

Municipal elections in Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake and Whale Cove are postponed due to a blizzard, Elections Nunavut says.

Blizzard conditions in the Kivalliq region have shut down both communities.

Rankin Inlet & Chesterfield Inlet, your election day has been postponed due to inclement weather. Your Returning Officer will make public announcements when the weather improves.

— Elections Nunavut ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ (@elections_nu) October 28, 2019

Baker Lake, your election day has been suspended due to inclement weather. Your Returning Officer will make public announcements on when the election will continue, when the weather improves.

— Elections Nunavut ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ (@elections_nu) October 28, 2019

Whale Cove, your election day has been suspended due to inclement weather. Your Returning Officer will make public announcements on when the election will continue, when the weather improves.

— Elections Nunavut ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ (@elections_nu) October 28, 2019

But staff at Elections Nunavut, based in Rankin Inlet, are still working today, said chief electoral officer Dustin Fredlund.

“We’re all here. We’ll be here until the final results come in tonight from all over Nunavut,” Fredlund said.

Fredlund said his office will continue to evaluate the situation and will provide updates when the weather improves.

“We will hold the elections as soon as possible. We’re hoping tomorrow, as soon as the weather clears we will be ready to go,” Fredlund said.

“We follow the Nunavut Elections Act and we follow the laws of Mother Nature, so as soon she says we can vote, we’ll be in there,” he added.

Municipal elections for mayor, councillors and district education authorities take place across the territory today. Voting locations and information can be found here.