Kowesa Etitiq is upset the Qikiqtani Inuit Association elections in Iqaluit were not postponed when the city closed due to a blizzard. He ran for the position of community director in Iqaluit and lost by 115 votes. Christine Kay/NNSL photo

Of the 2,031 eligible voters in the city, just 18 per cent went to the polls to elect a president and a vice president Dec. 9. A mere 14 per cent voted for the position of Iqaluit's community director.

Kowesa Etitiq ran for the position of community director in Iqaluit. He believes the poor turn out was caused by a blizzard that hit the city the day of the election.

"They should have held it the next day. What are you going to do? Are you going to do risk your life to go vote? I don't think so," he said.

Etitiq lost the race to Joshua Kango by 115 votes. He said he knows he didn't come close to winning, but thinks many people assumed the association postponed the election. He said it was natural to assume the election was cancelled because cab companies, government buildings, schools and roads were all closed.

Etitiq said it was unacceptable that QIA did not have provisions in the rules and regulations for blizzards.

"Hello, this is the Arctic we're living in," he said.

David Kunuk, chief returning officer for the election, said the blizzard barely impacted voter turnout. Kunuk said the number of voters is comparable to the number who turned out in the 2000 election.

Though QIA has no plans to re-schedule the election, Kunuk said he would recommend to the regional Inuit association they adopt weather-related regulation in the future.

"Blizzards are not covered under the rules and regulations for a QIA election. It's going to be part of my recommendations that QIA look at stipulations such as weather in the future," said Kunuk.

Similar organizations such as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated have provisions in their rules and regulations. The rules state the chief returning officer can postpone or extend the hours of an election when weather becomes a factor.

Furthermore, Kunuk said QIA tried to get voters to the polls as best they could. They set aside three vehicles in Iqaluit for voters who needed a ride to the polls. The association advised the public of the service through announcements made on the local radio station every hour.

"It was utilized to the max because they were constantly on the road," said Kunuk.

QIA executive director Terry Audla said Kunuk's recommendations will be considered.

"All we can do is take the recommendations and present them to the board members. They will decide whether of not to make changes before the next election," said Terry Audla.

The results:

Incumbent Thomasie Alikatuktuk was elected president and Malachi Arreak won the title of vice-president. The following community members were elected: Ashevak Ezekiel (Cape Dorset), James Qillaq (Clyde River), Timut Qamukaq (Hall Beach), George Qulaut (Iglulik), Joshua Kango (Iqaluit), Tommy Evic (Panniqtuuq), Jesse Nutarak (Pond Inlet), Mikidjuk Kolola (Kimmirut) and Ross Pudluk (Resolute Bay).