Inuvik (Dec 03/04) - It came right down to the wire Monday evening, but Robert McLeod squeaked out a narrow victory in the Twin Lakes byelection.

McLeod won by a margin of just 11 votes and unofficial results show that just 27 votes separated the top three challengers -- McLeod (169 votes), Pauline Gordon (158) and Arlene Hansen (142).

Though a judicial recount is required to confirm the results of Monday's byelection, it appears that Robert McLeod -- who grew up in the Twin Lakes riding -- will be off to Yellowknife after winning by 11 votes over his nearest challenger, Pauline Gordon. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Tom Williams garnered a respectable 99 ballots, while Clarence Wood, Bob Simpson and Richard Binder split the remaining 110 of 678 valid votes cast. Five spoiled ballots were reported.

McLeod accepted congratulations late Monday evening, however the election results are unofficial, pending a judicial recount. NWT Elections regulations stipulate an automatic recount in cases where the margin of victory is less than two per cent of the total votes cast.

"Over the past several weeks of campaigning, I've come to know a lot of people and I'm really honoured for the support I got," McLeod said from the west end home of Edward Lennie, where his friends and family gathered to celebrate.

Crediting his sister and campaign manager Veronica McLeod and many other supporters for their efforts, McLeod said his team did its homework in rallying support.

"Once we got the numbers from the advance poll it was a little nervewracking," said McLeod, explaining that pollsters predicted 100 votes but got only 73 of the 191 cast prior to Monday's election.

But McLeod's 30-vote lead over Hansen when the advance poll was posted at 9:30 p.m. on the NWT Elections Website would prove to be enough, despite returns for Gordon which propelled her to finish a close second.

"We did a good job," Gordon said Monday morning of her run for the MLA spot. When asked if she thought the recount could swing the result in her favour, Gordon said she wasn't sure.

"Who's to know, really? I don't think there's ever been a turnaround (in a territorial election recount)."

Elections NWT says an official result is expected within the next several weeks, after the Department of Justice determines where the recount will occur and which judge will be charged with the task. Until then, the votes are being "stored securely" in Inuvik.

Voter participation in the Twin Lakes riding is also on the rise. Turnout this time around was 123 per cent -- 555 registered voters, 678 valid votes actually cast -- compared to last election's 152 per cent, but the number of valid votes cast in this byelection increased by 140.

And polls at Ingamo Hall were busy right until their 8 p.m. close, with a steady flow of vehicles filing in and out of the parking lot.

Twenty-year-old Francis Thrasher was among the last voters of the evening and was pleased to be taking part in his first territorial election.

"To me, the most important issues in this election are getting a fair share of the oil and gas development, especially jobs for aboriginal people and affordable housing," he said on his way out of the polls. "Basic living needs, you know. Jobs and a place to live."