"There is no clear public consensus, or even reliable indicators of public opinion, about how to answer the various design questions that would need to be dealt with in detail in order to establish a viable method for direct election of a Nunavut premier," wrote the Nunavut Implementation Commission (NIC).

The words appear in a Dec. 23, 1996, report, "Nunavut's Legislature, Premier and First Election," in which the NIC recommends the first Nunavut premier be chosen the same way the NWT premier is chosen, by a vote of elected MLAs.

NIC also recommended direct election be actively pursued for future elections.

In spite of the fact that the GNWT, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the federal government -- the three parties to the Nunavut Final Agreement -- decided in February that the first premier should be elected directly by Nunavut voters, no alternatives to the status quo have been developed.

"At this stage of the game, the leader from Nunavut would still be elected the same as the premier of the Northwest Territories," said Steve Outhouse, spokesperson for Nunavut secretariat of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Asked what the status of direct election is, Outhouse said, "They still have that under study. It hasn't been approved or confirmed yet."

"It's not that anyone's saying this is a bad idea. It's just a matter of finding a workable model," added Outhouse.

Last week, NTI executive director Alex Campbell said the organization stands by its commitment to direct election.

In its analysis of the issue, NIC appears to favor direct election, saying it would "strengthen the hand" of the premier and, consequently, make ministers more accountable.

"Through election by the public in an open competition for the top job, the premier would be able to invoke a mandate obtained directly from the people," noted the report.

But that support fades when the report examines the practical realities of directly electing a premier.

To avoid losing good leaders who try for the top job but fail to win it, the vote for premier would have to be concluded before the vote for representatives of each constituency.

To provide the premier with a worthwhile mandate, he or she would need to get more than 50 per cent of the vote. If the frontrunner has less than 50 per cent, a run-off election between the top two candidates would be required.