Polls open across Nunavut

Nunavummiut are casting their votes on Monday for the second time in five weeks — this time to elect members of the territory’s legislative assembly.

Polls across the territory opened at 9 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. local time.

Those elected will represent residents in 22 constituencies in Nunavut’s sixth legislative assembly, which is scheduled to sit for the first time in Iqaluit on Nov. 19.

During the advanced polling period, 1,762 people voted in Nunavut, according to Elections Nunavut.

This makes up about 13 per cent of the 14,000 eligible voters in the 17 ridings with more than one candidate.

Read about the races in the 17 ridings with the position up for grabs here:

• Aggu
• Aivilik
• Amittuq
• Baker Lake
• Cambridge Bay
• Gjoa Haven
• Hudson Bay
• Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
• Iqaluit-Tasiluk
• Iqaluit-Manirajak
• Iqaluit-Sinaa
• Kugluktuk
• Netsilik
• Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet
• Rankin Inlet South
• Tununiq
• Uqqummiut

In the last election in 2017, voter turnout was about 63 per cent, according to Elections Nunavut.

Five returning MLAs have been acclaimed without any challengers, including the premier in the last legislative assembly, Joe Savikataaq in Arviat South, and John Main representing Arviat North-Whale Cove.

Margaret Nakashuk will continue representing Pangnirtung, David Akeegok keeps his seat in Quttiktuq and David Joanasie was acclaimed in South Baffin.

It’s the second time in a little over a month that Nunavut voters have cast ballots. They voted in September’s federal election, electing New Democrat Lori Idlout to represent the territory in the House of Commons in Ottawa. Across Canada, voters gave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals another minority Parliament.