Inuit org sets Pangnirtung community byelection for April 7

Eligible Inuit beneficiaries from Pangnirtung will choose a new community director in a byelection set for April 7, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association said Jan. 26 in a news release.

The byelection is to fill a spot that Tommy Akulukjuk left vacant when he resigned from the post this past November, citing “personal reasons.”

Akulukjuk, elected Dec. 9, 2013, served less than one year — and departed with more than two years left in his term, which was to expire Dec. 31, 2017.

For that reason, the QIA must fill the spot by way of a byelection.

The organization said they will post information on the QIA website about the bylection’s deadlines.

The QIA has hired Nancy Karetak-Lindell of Ayaya Communications Inc. to act as chief returning officer for the byelection.

Meanwhile, two separate legal actions arising from the QIA’s last elections, held this past Dec. 8, are still in the works.

One, filed by Iqaluit community director candidate Madeleine Redfern, alleges that eligible voters in Ottawa were denied the right to vote.

The other, filed by presidential candidate Mikidjuk Akavak, alleges two other presidential candidates were ineligible to run in the Dec. 8 election.