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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - Low voter turnout marked recent elections in Fort Providence.

Only 20 per cent of the eligible voters, 76 out of 387, cast a ballot on Dec. 8 during the election for hamlet council and District Education Authority (DEA). It was the smallest turnout returning officer Phoebe Parent has seen in her four years of running the hamlet's elections.

"I was really surprised with the low amount of votes cast this year," said Parent.

Parent said she expected a higher, not lower, turnout because there were six seats open on the hamlet council instead of the usual four.

On average, between 115 and 125 residents normally vote during the yearly elections, she said. Parent was unable to explain why voter turnout dropped for this election.

The election was well advertised with notices posted around the community and daily announcements on the radio, she said.

"We can't make people go out and vote," said Parent.

A mix of new and returning councillors were elected to the hamlet.

Hilda Sabourin and Sophie Bonnetrouge are serving consecutive terms. Both Evelyn Krutko and Rosemary Minoza have been on previous councils. Only Raymond Bonnetrouge and Edith Squirrel are new to council. The six new councillors join Alphonsine Gargan and Jonas Landry who are already on the council.

The hamlet holds staggered elections so that there's more continuity, said Susan Christie, the senior administrative officer for the hamlet.

The terms are normally two years with half of the eight councillors being replaced yearly. Six seats were available in this election because of two resignations. To keep the balance, the councillors with the lowest number of votes, Rosemary Minoza and Hilda Sabourin will only serve one-year terms, said Christie.

Edith Squirrel is one councillor who will be busy.

Squirrel was elected to both the hamlet council and the DEA. When her name was nominated for the council, Squirrel said she let it stand out of curiosity.

"I wanted to know what the hamlet is all about," she said.

"It will be a learning experience."

This is Squirrel's first term as a hamlet councillor. This is also her first elected seat on the DEA although she previously volunteered after a seat was vacated.

Paschalina Nadli, who was acclaimed mayor in early November, will head the hamlet council.

Nadli said the council's goals will include staying within the capital budget and making sure the hamlet is well looked after.

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Election results:

Hamlet council

Raymond Bonnetrouge- 66

Evelyn Krutko- 65

Sophie Bonnetrouge- 61

Edith Squirrel- 61

Rosemary Minoza-58

Hilda Sabourin- 49

Moe Barrier-39 (not elected)

District Education Authority

Edith Squirrel- 59

Robert Tanche- 59

Jessica Field- 57

Peter Canadien- 55

Betty Ann Minoza- 52

Dorothy Minoza- 47 (not elected)