PAULATUK/SACHS HARBOUR - Half of the hamlet council seats in Sachs Harbour remain empty after only two residents put their names forward to help fill four open positions.

Richard Carpenter and Jock Carpenter have been acclaimed to council for a two-year term.

They will have the responsibility of selecting two more councillors when they take office Jan. 4.

The appointed councillors will have a one-year term.

David Kravitz, chief municipal electoral officer with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said appointing councillors is uncommon in the territory.

"This is very unusual. I'm not aware that I've ever seen this situation before where we've had a vacancy at the end of the day. Maybe once before in Ulukhaktok, but very unusual," he said.

Sachs Harbour's current mayor, Yvonne Elias, will remain in office for another year.

Paulatuk election

In Paulatuk, mayor Ray Ruben will remain for a year, but on Dec. 14 residents will elect four councillors and seven district education authority representatives.

The councillor candidates are Donna Ruben, Lawrence Ruben, Richard Ruben Sr., Merle Thrasher and Millie Thrasher.

DEA candidates are Debbie Gordon-Ruben, Lily-Ann Green, Aaron Ruben, Albert Ruben Sr., Brenda Ruben, Donna Ruben, Phoebe Ruben, Gilbert Thrasher Sr. and Millie Thrasher.