Iqaluit (Nov 08/04) - About a quarter of the candidates in last February's territorial election have not submitted their financial documentation.

Under the Nunavut Elections Act, 21 candidates have been charged with failing to file a declaration, failing to deposit contributions in an appropriate financial institution, or failing to return the tax receipt book.

"I have no understanding why," said Nunavut's chief electoral officer Sandy Kusugak.

Kusugak says the financial reporting requirements were simplified when the Act was developed in 2002.

The old NWT Act consisted of numerous pages.

Candidates now need only to submit a single page, along with copies of the official tax receipts issued to contributors.

Kusugak estimated the time to complete the work would take between 60 and 90 minutes.

It is also necessary for candidates to set up a separate campaign bank account at any financial institution, including a Northern Store, Kusugak said. Candidates have until 60 days after the election to submit their paperwork.

"People have to know that their money's been spent appropriately," Kusugak said.

At the end of May, a list of names was turned over to the RCMP.

All of the candidates on the list have been contacted by the RCMP and most have been served with a court order, said Const. Chris Coles.

"They'll appear in court, just like anybody else," Coles said. The maximum penalty for the charges laid is a $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

But Nunavut's electoral system is unique in that candidates can still approach the integrity commissioner and work out a solution to the problem without having to go to court, Kusugak said.

Charges filed under the act and those facing charges include:

Sec. 258 -- Failing to deposit contributions in a bank account or failing to return the receipt book.
Sec. 268 -- Failing to file a declaration (return).
Sec. 267 -- Failing to file a declaration (return).

Candidates charged:

Arviat

Peter Two Aulatjut -- Sec. 268
Janet Kigusiutnak -- Sec. 268

Chesterfield Inlet

Bernard Putulik Sr. -- Sec. 268
Nina Malliki -- Sec. 267(4)(b)

Clyde River

Peter Iqalukjuak -- Sec. 268
Adamee Atsiqtaq -- Sec. 267(4)(b)

Gjoa Haven

Ruediger Rasch -- Sec. 268
Sarah Qirqqut -- Sec. 258(2)
Sonny Porter -- Sec. 268
Christine Nahalolik -- Two charges under Sec. 258 (2), 268

Iqaluit

John Amagoalik -- Sec. 268
Betty Brewster -- Sec. 268
Qikiqtarjuaq
Stevie Audlakiak -- Sec. 268
Mary Killiktee -- Two charges under Sec. 258(2), 268

Rankin Inlet

Angela Anawak-Gamble -- Sec. 267(4)(b)

Resolute

Pauloosie Attagootak -- Sec. 268
David Oingoot Kalluk -- Sec. 267(4)(b)

Sanikiluaq

Johnny Tookalook - Sec. 268
Susie Tooktoo -- Two charges under Sec. 258(2), 268

Taloyoak

Simon Qingnaqtuq -- Sec. 268
Eva Kootook -- Two charges under Sec. 258, 268