Elections Nunavut pushes the start button for Uqqummiut by-election

The Uqqummiut seat has sat vacant since Oct. 24, 2014, when MLAs passed this motion to get rid of Samuel Nuqingaq once and for all. Residents of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq will to the polls Feb. 9 to elect an MLA. (FILE PHOTO)

If you’re a resident of Clyde River or Qikiqtarjuaq, take note: there’s a by-election headed your way.

Elections Nunavut will start accepting declarations of candidacy Jan. 5, when they’re to issue a writ of by-election to fill the vacant legislative assembly seat of Uqqummiut.

That by-election is set for Feb. 9.

Candidates must hand in declarations of candidacy — to either the returning officer or assistant returning officer for Uqqummiut — by Jan. 9 at 2 p.m.

Those officers are:

Returning Officer: Gary Aipellee, Clyde River
Available from 12 noon until 7 p.m. at the old Hamlet office
Phone: 924-6423
Email: uqqu@election.nsu.ca

Assistant Returning Officer: Karen Kooneeliusie, Qikiqtarjuaq
Email: uqquaro@elections.nu.ca

You can also get information and candidate declaration forms from Elections Nunavut, at this page on their website.

And you can reach Elections Nunavut at 1-800-267-4394 or email them at info@elections.nu.ca.

The Uqqummiut seat has sat vacant since Oct. 24, 2014, when Nunavut MLAs voted unanimously to expel Samuel Nuqingaq from the legislature.

After the Oct. 28 territorial election, a judicial recount showed Nuqingaq had defeated Niore Iqalukjuak of Clyde River by 187 votes to 185.

But Nuqingaq was never able to perform the duties of an MLA for more than a few days at a time..

In November 2013, MLAs docked his pay following a two-day absence from orientation sessions they held just after the election. He also showed up late for the Nov. 15 leadership forum, when MLAs met to choose a speaker, premier and cabinet.

And in March 2014, MLAs suspended him without pay from the entire winter sitting of the assembly, from March 6 to March 22.

On May 22, 2014, they imposed another suspension, this time with pay, that lasted until July 16, when he completed a 60-day treatment program for substance abuse.

Nuqingaq returned to work July 16 — and on Oct. 21, 2014, MLAs voted to put him onto three standing committees.

But Nuqingaq’s recovery didn’t last long. On Oct. 24, 2014, MLAs voted to get rid of him for good.

Meanwhile, Nuqingaq still faces two criminal charges connected to an incident alleged to have occurred Feb. 24, 2014 in Qikiqtarjuaq: assault, and being unlawfully in a dwelling-house.