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IQALUIT - The race in Iqaluit West took a turn for the nasty last week, as supporters of its big name contenders slung accusations of impropriety back and forth.

Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik is running against Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik in that riding, in what was widely considered to be a very tight race.

Elisapee Sheutiapik

Last week Iqaluit resident John Thomas filed an official complaint with the RCMP against Sheutiapik and her financial agent Victor Tootoo, alleging three breaches of the Nunavut Elections Act.

Thomas pointed out that the name of the financial agent was not included in some promotional material, including a button, a radio ad and a flyer.

Tootoo discounted the concerns over each.

"We're running a clean campaign, and the strong message is about openness and transparency," he said.

The flyer was not an official campaign material, but was created without Sheutiapik's knowledge by a well-meaning supporter, according to Tootoo.

Regarding the button, "as discussed with Elections Nunavut in a conference call early on, there is an exception allowing for campaign buttons not to have it on, if there is space permitting you can," he said.

Its omission in the radio ads, which were aired on CKIQ, was an honest mistake by the station, Tootoo added.

The station's interim manager confirmed the error was his.

Thomas's letter was sent the same day CBC News reported concerns over a fundraising letter sent by Okalik's campaign staff to senior government officials requesting donations.

Then, on Friday morning, Tootoo sent a letter to Deputy Minister David Omilgoitok, which was hastily retracted hours later.

The letter outlined concerns over Okalik's visit to speak with students at the Nunavut Arctic College Old Residence on Oct. 23.

But while campaigning is forbidden on government property, the residence's cafeteria is considered part of a residential dwelling.

Okalik's financial officer, Nadia Ciccone, was out of town and unable to comment.