Nunavut general election, 2004

Premier Paul Okalik asked for the five-year-old territory's first parliament to be dissolved on January 16.

The territory operates on a consensus government system with no political parties; the premier is subsequently chosen by and from the MLAs. There were 11,285 registered voters at the time of the election call.

Issues

Issues at the election included:

• the size of the civil service;
• the territory's Human Rights Act;
• education;
• language and culture.
  

  Results

• Rankin Inlet North: Tagak Curley (incumbent: Jack Anawak)

Results (CBC News)

In the main, Nunavummiut decided to stay with their present legislature. The premier, four cabinet ministers, and three other MLAs were re-elected; five incumbents were defeated, including former speaker of the house Kevin O'Brien. Only two women were elected to the 19-seat legislature.

Premier Paul Okalik was given a firm endorsement by the voters in his riding. He faced a strong challenge for the premier's job from Tagak Curley, who was acclaimed to his seat. However, Okalik was returned to the premiership on March 5, 2004, by the new legislature. [1]

Miscellaneous

For the first time, residents of several tiny, isolated communities were able to vote by satellite phone.

Voter turnout was 110%, since there was no door-to-door enumeration and voter registration is permitted at the polling station.

External Links

• Elections Nunavut
• CBC: Nunavut Votes 2004
• Nunavut Legislative Assembly
• About Nunavut
• About Consensus Government (Government of the Northwest Territories)