# 2004 Nunavut general election

The 2004 Nunavut general election was held on February 16, 2004, to elect the 19 members of the 2nd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Premier Paul Okalik asked for the five-year-old territory's first parliament to be dissolved on January 16.
The territory operates on a consensus government system with no political parties; the premier is subsequently chosen by and from the MLAs. There were 11,285 registered voters at the time of the election call.

## Issues

Issues at the election included:
* the size of the civil service;
* the territory's Human Rights Act;
* education;
* language and culture.

## Results

Elections were held in 18 of the 19 electoral districts. Rankin Inlet North acclaimed its MLA. The following is a list of the districts with their candidates.
| District | Incumbent | Elected | Percentage | Defeated candidates |
| Akulliq | Ovide Alakannuark | Steve Mapsalak | 34.86% | George Bohlender, Joani Kringayark, John Ningark, Roland Tungilik |
| Amittuq | Enoki Irqittuq | Louis Tapardjuk | 39.63% | Solomon Allurut, Enoki Irqittuq |
| Arviat | Kevin O'Brien | David Alagalak | 36.53% | Peter Alareak, Peter Two Aulatjut, Kevin O'Brien, Jay Saint, Kono Tattuinee |
| Baker Lake | Glenn McLean | David Simailak | 48.22% | David Aksawnee, Becky Kudloo, David Toolooktook Sr. |
| Cambridge Bay | Kelvin Ng | Keith Peterson | 54.09% | Harry Ambrose M. Aknavigak, David Kaosoni, Harry Maksagak |
| Hudson Bay | Peter Kattuk | Peter Kattuk | 42.76% | Moses Appaqaq, Joe Arragutainaq, Kupapik Ningeocheak, Johnny Tookalook |
| Iqaluit Centre | Hunter Tootoo | Hunter Tootoo | 44.8% | Natsiq Alainga-Kango, Mike Courtney, Kevin MacCormack, Pauloosie Paniloo, Mary Ellen Thomas |
| Iqaluit East | Ed Picco | Ed Picco | 70.68% | John Amagoalik, Norman Ishulutak |
| Iqaluit West | Paul Okalik | Paul Okalik | 76.99% | Doug Workman |
| Kugluktuk | Donald Havioyak | Joe Allen Evyagotailak | 40.41% | Donald Havioyak, Millie Kuliktana |
| Nanulik | Patterk Netser | Patterk Netser | 34.92% | Emily Beardsall, Willy Nakoolak, Bernard Putulik Sr. |
| Nattilik | Uriash Puqiqnak | Leona Aglukkaq | 42.84% | Tom Akoak, Anthony Anguttitauruq, David Irqiut, Simon Qingnaqtuq, Sonny Porter, Ruediger H.J. Rasch |
| Pangnirtung | Peter Kilabuk | Peter Kilabuk | 61.87% | Simeonie Keenainak |
| Quttiktuq | Rebekah Williams | Levi Barnabas | 43.94% | Lucas Amagoalik, Pauloosie Attagootak, Larry Audlaluk, Anthony Ullikatar, Rebekah Williams |
| Rankin Inlet North | Jack Anawak | Tagak Curley | acclaimed | none |
| Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove | Manitok Thompson | Levinia Brown | 38.87% | Jerry Ell, Percy Kabloona, Ishmael Naulalik, Solomon Voisey |
| South Baffin | Olayuk Akesuk | Olayuk Akesuk | 58.94% | Malicktoo Lyta, Martha Lyta |
| Tununiq | Jobie Nutarak | Jobie Nutarak | 31.84% | Appitaq Enuaraq, Sam Omik, David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq |
| Uqqummiut | David Iqaqrialu | James Arreak | 27.06% | Stevie Audlakiak, Phoebe Palluq Hainnu, Peter Iqalukjuak, David Iqaqrialu, Samuel Nuqingaq, Lootie Toomasie |
Source: Results (CBC News)
In the main, Nunavummiut decided to stay with their present legislature. The premier, four cabinet ministers, and three other MLAs were re-elected; five incumbents were defeated, including former speaker of the house Kevin O'Brien. Only two women were elected to the 19-seat legislature.
Premier Paul Okalik was given a firm endorsement by the voters in his riding. He faced a strong challenge for the premier's job from Tagak Curley, who was acclaimed to his seat. However, Okalik was returned to the premiership on March 5, 2004, by the new legislature.

## Miscellaneous

For the first time, residents of several tiny, isolated communities were able to vote by satellite phone.
Voter turnout was nearly 90%; in 8 of the 18 ridings it was higher than 100% (as high as 134% in Kugluktuk) since there was no door-to-door enumeration and voter registration is permitted at the polling station.