Nunavut legislature will likely get new member today

More than 700 voters in Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq are eligible to head to the polls Feb. 9 to choose a new member for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

Those two communities, who make up the Uqqummiut seat in the 22-member Nunavut legislature, have been without an MLA since Samuel Nuqingaq lost his elected post Oct. 24 — the day fellow members voted unanimously to expel him from the house.

Polls opened this morning at 10 a.m. and will close tonight at 8 p.m.

Clyde River voters can cast their ballots at the community hall and in Qikiqtarjuaq, voters must go to the hamlet office.

Three men are running for the seat this time around: James Arreak and Niore Iqalukjuaq of Clyde River and Pauloosie Keyootak of Qikiqtarjuaq.

Those seeking more information about the byelection can contact Returning officer Gary Aipellee in Clyde River between noon and 7 p.m. today at the Clyde River radio station building: 867-924-6423, uqqu@elections.nu.ca.

They can also try Karen Kooneeliusie, assistant returning officer, in Qikiqtarjuaq: uqquaro@elections.nu.ca.

Nuqingaq was sanctioned several times by fellow members for behaviour and absentee issues before losing his seat last fall. He said he completed a 60-day residential treatment program for substance abuse in summer 2014.

Nuqingaq is currently facing two criminal charges connected to an incident alleged to have occurred Feb. 24, 2014, in Qikiqtarjuaq. He has been charged with assault and being unlawfully in a dwelling-house.