Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 22/01) - Ten candidates are running to fill two executive positions as the clock counts down to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s Dec. 10 elections.

Who's running for what? Nominations have now closed for the Dec. 10 elections. Three positions were up for grabs. Incumbent James Eetoolook was acclaimed to his post of first vice-president. Here is the rundown of who is running for the other two positions. For president John Amagoalik Jerry Ell Methusalah Kunuk Rachel A. Qitsualik Andrew Tagak Cathy Towtongie For vice-president, finance Goo Arlooktoo Paul Kaludjak Raymond Kaslak Bobby Suluk

Six candidates are running for the position of president, vacant since last June when former president Paul Quassa resigned.

The list includes former Nunavut implementation commissioner John Amagoalik; Jerry Ell, former president of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation; Methusalah Kununk, the current chief executive officer of Qikiqtaaluk Corp.; Nunatsiaq News columnist Rachel A. Qitsualik; Iqaluit justice of the peace Andrew Tagak; and Cathy Towtongie, a Rankin Inlet community activist.

The winner will sit out the remainder of Quassa's term, which ends in December 2003.

Four others put their names forward for the position of vice-president of finance. Incumbent Bernadette Tungilik is not seeking re-election.

The winner will hold the position for four years.

Kusugak said the size of the field is "not unusual."

A third position was filled by acclamation when no one else put their name forward to challenge incumbent James Eetoolook for the position of first vice-president. It is the second time he has been acclaimed.

In addition to his vice-presidential duties, Eetoolook has been NTI's acting president since Quassa's resignation.

Kusugak said beneficiaries have until Nov. 5 to challenge the validity of any candidate's nomination, but "to my personal knowledge, no one (who has filed their papers) is ineligible."