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NUNAVUT - Thomasie Alikatuktuk, incumbent president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, will keep his seat for another three years.

Alikatuktuk, who has served in the role since 2001, took the top spot with just over 25 per cent of the vote in the QIA election Dec. 8.

His closest competitor was Joe Tigullaraq with nearly 20 per cent of the vote.

Seven community directors were also elected on Monday including Mathewsie Ashevak in Cape Dorset, James Qillaq in Clyde River, Abraham Qamaniq in Hall Beach, George Quviq Qulaut in Iglulik, Mikidjuk Kolola in Kimmirut, Phillip Paneak in Pond Inlet and Joe Arragutainaq in Sanikiluaq.

Qulaut, Kolola and Paneak easily took the lion's share of the vote in their communities, while in Sanikiluaq, Arragutainaq took the seat with just one vote over competitor Annie Amitook.

Cape Dorset was also a close race as Ashevak was only three votes ahead of candidate Ashevak Ezekiel.

Each director will serve for a three-year term.

The total votes cast in the election of president was 2,946, representing 34 per cent of eligible voters. The highest turnout was in Hall Beach with 48 per cent, while the lowest was in Iqaluit with only 24 per cent of eligible voters going to the polls.

In the election of community directors, Cape Dorset and Hall Beach had the highest turnouts at 47 per cent, with Pond Inlet reporting the lowest showing at 25 per cent.