Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Jan 11/99) - The nomination period of Nunavut's first election wraps up today, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. (ET) and the deputy chief electoral officer says there will likely be a few surprises in store for voters.

"Areas I thought would be quiet aren't and from what I've been hearing from the communities, I doubt if there will be any acclamations," said Joshie Teemotee Mitsima.

He said that while only a few of the candidates had actually completed and handed in their nomination papers so far, several people across the 19 electoral ridings had picked up the forms and planned to have them in by the deadline.

After declaring their candidacy and doing all of the necessary paperwork, Mitsima said those people running for positions in Nunavut's first legislative assembly had more than a month to try to convince voters to cast their ballots for them.

"February 13 at midnight is the last full day that candidates are allowed to campaign," said Mitsima, but he added that this did not prevent them from using megaphones or making visits to electors in their communities in last-minute efforts to secure votes.

Mitsima also noted that candidates had a very strict set of guidelines and procedures to follow during their campaigns -- including regulations on campaign funding and donors -- and he said everyone was legally required to follow them.

And for those who might have a change of heart after filing their candidacy -- that's okay. Potential contestants can withdraw their names from the race until Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.

Voter lists

The preliminary lists of voters in Nunavut's first election have been posted in the office of the returning officers in each electoral boundary. Electors have until Jan. 18 to add or remove their names from the list before the various forms of voting begin.

Applications for voting by mail-in ballot are available from the returning offices until Jan. 18 and voters choosing that method can send in their ballots between Jan. 21 and Feb. 12.

Electors who want to vote prior to the election can do so in the office of the returning officer from Feb. 1-12 or at the advance polls in their riding on Feb. 4.

Proxy voting applications are available from Feb. 11-15 and must be cast by the proxy on the territorial polling day of Feb. 15.

Ethics panel

Nunavut's interim commissioner Jack Anawak announced the creation of an Ethics and Accountability in Government panel at the end of December.

Along with providing advice to the candidates running in the election for members of the legislative assembly, the two-person panel will serve the MLAs after they're elected, and the members of the Nunavut public service.

In a press release issued by his office, Anawak said: "It is our intention ... to set a high standard of principles to guide senior public servants, those seeking office and those elected to the new government. This government is for the people and people should have confidence in all their officials."

Composed of the chief commissioner of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, John Amagoalik, and federal official Roger Tasse, the panel will provide information to the interested parties on possible conflicts of interest, post-election disclosure and conduct obligations.

Coming into power on Jan. 1, the panel will dissolve once the Nunavut legislature appoints its own conflict of interest commissioner on July 1.

Pauktuutit meets

Pauktuutit, Canada's national Inuit women's association, has set its annual general meeting for March 15-19.

To be held in Rankin Inlet this year, the topics on the table include child sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS, economic development and the legacy of residential school abuse.

Inuit women from 32 different communities are expected to attend the five-day meeting and help provide focus for the upcoming year.

Officials of the organization are also asking people to send in their nominations for the 1999 Community Achievement Award of the Year by March 1. More information about the award and the general meeting is available through the Ottawa office.