Qikiqtani president’s election headed for a recount

After all votes were counted, Mikidjuk Akavak of Iqaluit emerged as the front-runner in the race for president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. But Akavak, who took 758 votes, will have to wait for a recount, along with second-place finisher Pauloosie (PJ) Akeeagok, who finished three votes behind Akavak with 755. (PHOTO BY JIM BELL)

The contest to choose a new president for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is headed for a recount, with front-runner Mikidjuk Akavak of Iqaluit clinging to three-vote lead over second-place finisher Pauloosie (PJ) Akeeagok.

Akavak ended the night with 758 votes. Akeeagok won 755.

That triggers an automatic recount, said Nancy Karetak-Lindell, the chief returning officer for the QIA election.

She said section 13 of QIA’s election bylaw provides for a recount if the top two candidates are separated by a two per cent margin or less.

Akavak, however, said he’s pleased with his strong showing.

“I spoke from the heart,” Akavak told Nunatsiaq News.

Akavak also said he thinks Qikiqtani beneficiaries are looking for a “better form of governance.”

Larry Audlaluk of Grise Fiord, who has served as QIA’s acting president since former president Okalik Eegeesiak departed from the job this past July to serve as international chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, finished third with 657 votes.

Pauloosie Keyoota of Qikiqtarjuaq, a former QIA president, wound up in fourth place with 406 votes.

Jerry Natanine of Clyde River finished with 362 votes and Meeka Kilabuk of Iqaluit, also a former QIA president, took 331.

The election to choose a QIA community director in Iqaluit is headed for a recount too. Incumbent candidate Simon Nattaq finished with 396 votes, only six votes ahead of Madeleine Redfern, who took 390.

The turnout for the Qikiqtani election appears to be around 31 per cent, though that is unconfirmed.

Full QIA results, including results for community director elections, are available here.

In the race for vice president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., veteran candidate James Eetoolook won with 3,284 votes, or 50.9 per cent of votes cast.

Jesse Mike of Iqaluit finished second with 2,074 votes, or 32.8 per cent of votes cast and Douglas Aggark of Chesterfield Inlet finished third with 964 votes, or 15.25 per cent.

The turnout in the NTI election was about 31 per cent, NTI said in a news release.

NTI election results are available here.

In the Kitikmeot region, Peter Akkikungnaq of Gjoa Haven is elected president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association with 347 votes, according to unofficial results.

Stanley Anablak finished in second place with 328 votes, Jeannie Ehaloak finished third with 290 and Joe Ohokannoak came fourth with 227.

Akkikungnaq, who succeeds outgoing president Charlie Evalik, will serve until December 2018.

David Novalingalok gained 424 votes — just ten more than second-place candidate Tars Angutingunirk — to win the KitIA’s vice president, a position he will hold until 2018.

Turnout in the Kitikmeot election was 31.8 per cent, the KitikIA said in a news release.

In the Kivalliq region, veteran leader Raymond Ningeocheak of Coral Harbour, with 560 votes, won a narrow victory over Donna Adams of Rankin Inlet, who took 542, to become vice president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association.

Full KivIA results are available here.

Read more coverage Dec. 9 on Nunatsiaqonline.ca.