Jack Danylchuk
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 10, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Last minute nominations ended Calvin Pokiak's prospects for a free pass through the Oct.1 territorial election, but three other incumbent MLAs, including one who has the inside track to the premier's office, were acclaimed in their constituencies.

Floyd Roland, minister of finance and health in the 15th Legislative Assembly, was acclaimed for the second time in Inuvik Boot Lake.

Roland is widely expected to put his name forward to MLAs as the successor to Premier Joe Handley, who was among the five MLAs who were acclaimed in 2003.

Norman Yakeleya, MLA for the Sahtu and Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod, who served as minister of municipal affairs in the last assembly, were also acclaimed

At noon Friday, Pokiak was the only person nominated in Nanukput. But by the time nominations closed two hours later, Eddie Dillon, Jackie Jacobson and Vince Teddy were in the race for the Northwest Territories most northern constituency.

In all, 52 candidates are contesting 16 seats.

Nine of the candidates are women, including incumbents Sandy Lee, MLA for Range Lake, and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen.

Constituencies vacated by retiring incumbents promise to be closely contested. Great Slave and Weledeh each draw five candidates but only three will contest Yellowknife South - won in 2003 by Brendan Bell, Industry and Investment minister in the last assembly.

Tu Nedehe MLA Bobby Villeneuve, dogged by controversy over his residence and living allowance, faces challenges from five other candidates.

In 2003, 47 candidates contested 16 seats, five were settled by acclamation. Despite the rise in overall candidates in the 2007 election, numbers show a drop in female contenders. Twelve women vied for the job of MLA in 2003, there are three fewer this election.