The Oct. 28 Nunavut election: by the numbers

Nunavut’s chief returning officer Sandy Kusugak, on the left, processing voting results Oct. 28 at the Elections Nunavut headquarters office in Rankin Inlet. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

The polls in the Oct 28 Nunavut territorial election closed at 8 p.m. eastern and the first constituency to officially report all polls tallied was Iqaluit-Manirajak, although sources revealed victories by George Hickes Jr. and Paul Okalik in Iqaluit-Tasiluk and Iqaluit-Sinaa before the numbers appeared on the Elections Nunavut website.

Incumbent Monica Ell, who represented Iqaluit West in the last legislature, was declared a winner in Iqaluit-Manirajak just before 10 p.m.

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 29, more than four hours after polls closed, vote counting was complete.

It will be a legislature full of first-time MLAs. Five incumbents lost their seats on Monday: Johnny Ningeongan, Eva Aariak, Hezakiah Oshutapik, Ron Elliot and Fred Schell.

Voter turnout appeared high this year with more than 70 per cent of eligible voters casting ballots in many constituencies. In Cambridge Bay the turnout was tallied at 101.7 per cent.

Pangnirtung had the next highest turnout with 80 per cent and Aggu and Iqaluit-Sinaa had the lowest with 49.4 per cent and 50.3 per cent respectively.

There were not one but two ties this year. Lorne Kusugak and Alexander Sammurtok in Rankin Inlet South tied with 172 votes each. In Uqqummiut, Samuel Nuqingaq and Niore Iqalukjuak tied with 187 votes each.

Those ones will go to judicial recounts, after the respective returning officers apply to the court.

With such a small numbers of voters, races can be tight in a territorial election and the results proved it. In Pangnirtung, Johnny Mike won with 198 votes, just 15 more than second place finisher Harry Dialla, with 183.

Another close race unfolded in Arviat North-Whale Cove, one of the last constituencies to report final numbers, after midnight. There, George Kuksuk won with 160 with Elizabeth Copland finishing only 13 votes behind with 147.

A 20-vote spread made the difference in Iqaluit-Nianqunnguu between winner Pat Angnakak (151 ) and second place finisher Anne Crawford (131)

Here are the results as of about 12:30 a.m. Oct. 29.

Aggu
Voter turnout: 49.4 per cent
Paul Aarulaaq Quassa — 96
John Illupalik — 83
Daniel Uyarak — 42

Aivilik
Voter turnout: 64 per cent
Steve Mapsalak — 263
Johnny Ningeongan — 187

Amittuq
Voter turnout 60.5 per cent
George Quviq Qulaut — 244
Paul Haulli — 103

Arviat North-Whale Cove
Voter turnout 75.9 per cenr
George Kuksuk — 160
Elizabeth Copland — 147
David Kritterdlik — 71
Amauyak Netser — 66
Joseph Kaviok — 19

Arviat South
Voter turnout: 76.6 per cent
Joe Savikataaq — 181
Airo Pameolik — 147
Peter Alareak — 125

Baker Lake
Voter turnout 70.7 per cent
Simeon Mikkungwak — 392
Karen Yip — 269

Cambridge Bay
Voter turnout: 101.7 per cent
Keith Peterson — 443
Fred Pedersen — 120
Clara Hokayak Evalik — 82

Gjoa Haven
Voter turnout: 70.2 per cent
Tony Akoak — 210
Linda Hunter — 161
George Sonny Porter — 46
Andrew Porter (withdrew from election) — 17

Hudson Bay
Voter turnout: 76.1 per cent
Allan Rumbolt — 139
Moses Appaqaq — 97
Frank Audla — 63
Lucy Uppik — 15

Iqaluit-Manirajak
Voter turnout: 67.4 per cent
Monica Ell — 330
Mikidjuk Akavak — 72
Lewis Lehman — 57
Paulie Sammurtok — 19

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
Voter turnout 65 per cent
Pat Angnakak — 151
Anne Crawford — 131
Methusalah Kunuk — 81
Jack Anawak — 66
Duncan Cunningham — 41
Sytukie Joamie — 6

Iqaluit-Sinaa
Voter turnout: 50.3 per cent
Paul Okalik — 180
Leesee Papatsie — 97
Solomon Awa — 69
Natsiq Kango — 42

Iqaluit-Tasiluk
Voter turnout: 72.1 per cent
George Hickes — 237
Eva Aariak — 194
Patterk Netser — 85
Travis Cooper — 69
Gideonie Joamie — 28

Kugluktuk
Peter Taptuna (Acclaimed)

Netsilik
Jeannie Ugjuk (Acclaimed)

Pangnirtung
Voter turnout: 80 per cent
Johnny Mike — 198
Harry J. Dialla — 183
Sakiasie Sowdlooapik — 82
Hezakiah Oshutapik — 67

Quttiktuq
Voter turnout: 72.7 per cent
Isaac Shooyook — 232
Ron Elliot — 152

Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet
Voter turnout: 64 per cent
Tom T. Sammurtok — 212
Donna Adams — 94
Qilak Kusugak — 89
Harry Niakrok — 68

Rankin Inlet South
Voter turnout: 56.9 per cent
Lorne Kusugak — 172
Alexander Sammurtok — 172

South Baffin
Voter turnout: 82.4 per cent
David Joanasie — 409
Tommy Akavak — 160
Mathew Saveakjuk Jaw — 51
Fred Schell — 43
Joannie Ikkidluak — 40

Tununiq
Voter turnout: 68.8 per cent
Joe Enook — 359
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq — 132

Uqqummiut
Voter turnout 77.9 per cent
Samuel Nuqingaq — 187
Niore Iqalukjuak — 187
Loseosie Paneak — 62
Apiusie Apak — 49
Charlie Kalluk — 26