Recount lies ahead for QIA

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has announced the official results of the president and community directors election that took place Dec.12 throughout Nunavut’s Baffin region

Okalik Eegeesiak won the race to fill the president’s position with a final total of 1,043 votes, a Dec. 14 QIA news release said.

George Qulaut finished second with 987 votes and Paul Quassa was third with 869 votes.

Voter turnout was 32 per cent.

But the QIA has received a request from one of the candidates for a recount, the news release said.

“Any candidate has 72 hours after the polls close to request a recount. The Chief Returning Officer can grant one if there are reasonable grounds. Because the final totals were so close, I’ve accepted the request and ordered a recount to take place,” said Bob St. Eloi, the chief returning officer for the election.

The recount will take place early next week. Representatives from each candidate can be present to monitor the recount as it takes place.

The community director results were also made official.

Newly elected are Jerry Natanine in Clyde River, Abraham Qammaniq in Hall Beach, John Illupalik in Igloolik, Simon Nattaq in Iqaluit, Mikidjuk Lyta in Kimmirut and Peter Kattuk in Sanikiluaq. Re-elected is Philip Paneak in Pond Inlet.