# 2013 Nunavut general election

The 2013 Nunavut general election was held October 28, 2013, to elect 22 members to the 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. In November 2012 the assembly passed the Nunavut Elections Act 2012, stating that the writs for election drop September 23, 2013, and an election be held October 28, 2013, the proclamation was registered November 9, 2012. At the 2013 forum, held on November 15, 2013, Peter Taptuna was selected as the new Premier of Nunavut.

## Election summary

| Election summary | # of candidates | # of candidates |
| Election summary | Incumbent | New |
| Elected candidates | 4 | 15 |
| Acclaimed candidates | 2 | - |
| Tied candidates | 1 | 1 |
| Defeated candidates | 5 | 45 |
| Total | 73 | 73 |

## Redistribution

The number of electoral districts were increased to 22 from 19. This is the first redistribution of boundaries since the territory was created in 1999.

## New premier and MLAs

On September 5, 2013, Premier Eva Aariak announced that she would stand for reelection but would not run for the position of premier after the election, paving the way for the 3rd Premier of Nunavut to be chosen. Despite wanting to seek a new position in the Legislature she was defeated in the general election marking the fourth provincial / territorial election in a row that an incumbent Premier has been defeated in his or her riding. (She was preceded by Darrell Dexter in Nova Scotia, Christy Clark in B.C. and Jean Charest in Quebec). A total of seven incumbents did not run for re-election.
In total 73 people registered with Elections Nunavut as candidates. Of these 73 candidates, 12 were incumbents hoping for reelection, and five have been elected in previous territorial elections, four to Nunavut and one to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories and 56 have not been elected in a territorial election before.
Two ridings were won by acclamation and both of these were returning MLAs. A total of eight ridings were contested solely by candidates who have not been elected in a previous territorial election.
Of the seven incumbent cabinet ministers, two chose not to re-offer, two were defeated (one in a by-election following a tie), and three were reelected (one by acclamation).

## Candidates

Following is a list of candidates that had filed with Elections Nunavut by 2:00 pm (local time), September 27, 2013. Bold represents winning candidate. All results from Elections Nunavut.
There were ties in two districts. In Rankin Inlet South, incumbent MLA Lorne Kusugak and challenger Alexander Sammurtok were tied with 172 votes. An official recount was held November 5 and was still found to be a tie. A by-election was scheduled for February 10, 2014, which was won by Sammurtok. In Uqqummiut, Niore Iqalukjuak and Samuel Nuqingaq were tied with 197 votes. After the official recount held November 5 Nuqingaq was found to have two more votes than Iqalukjuak.
Candidates by district :
| District | Communities | Winner | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Changes | Incumbent |
| Aggu | Igloolik (north part) | Paul Quassa 96 | John Illupalik 83 | Daniel Uyarak 42 | | | | New district | n/a |
| Aivilik | Repulse Bay, Coral Harbour | Steve Mapsalak 263 | Johnny Ningeongan 187 | | | | | New district | n/a |
| Amittuq | Igloolik (south part), Hall Beach | George Qulaut 244 | Paul Haulli 103 | | | | | Boundaries redrawn | Louis Tapardjuk |
| Arviat North-Whale Cove | Arviat (north part), Whale Cove | George Kuksuk 160 | Elizabeth Copland 146 | David Kritterdlik 71 | Amauyak Netser 66 | Joseph Ivitaaruq Kaviok 19 | | New district | n/a |
| Arviat South | Arviat (south part) | Joe Savikataaq 181 | Airo Pameolik 147 | Peter Alareak 125 | | | | New district | n/a |
| Baker Lake | Baker Lake | Simeon Mikkungwak 392 | Karen Yip 269 | | | | | Unchanged | Moses Aupaluktuq |
| Cambridge Bay | Cambridge Bay | Keith Peterson 443 | Fred Pedersen 120 | Clara Hokayak Evalik 82 | | | | Unchanged | Keith Peterson |
| Gjoa Haven | Gjoa Haven | Tony Akoak 210 | Linda Hunter 161 | George Sonny Porter 46 | Andrew Porter 17 | | | New district | n/a |
| Hudson Bay | Sanikiluaq | Allan Rumbolt 139 | Moses Appaqaq 97 | Frank Audla 63 | Lucy Uppik 15 | | | Unchanged | Allan Rumbolt |
| Iqaluit-Manirajak | Iqaluit (west part) | Monica Ell-Kanayuk 330 | Mikidjuk Akavak 72 | Lewis Lehman 57 | Paulie Sammurtok 19 | | | New district | n/a |
| Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu | Iqaluit (east part) | Pat Angnakak 151 | Anne Crawford 131 | Methusalah Kunuk 81 | Jack Anawak 66 | Duncan Cunningham 41 | Sytukie Joamie 6 | New district | n/a |
| Iqaluit-Sinaa | Iqaluit (south part) | Paul Okalik 180 | Leesee Papatsie 97 | Solomon Awa 69 | Natsiq Kango 42 | | | New district | n/a |
| Iqaluit-Tasiluk | Iqaluit (north part) | George Hickes 237 | Eva Aariak 194 | Patterk Netser 85 | Travis Cooper 69 | Gideonie Joamie 28 | | New district | n/a |
| Kugluktuk | Kugluktuk | Peter Taptuna Acclaimed | | | | | | Unchanged | Peter Taptuna |
| Netsilik | Taloyoak, Kugaaruk | Jeannie Ugyuk Acclaimed | | | | | | New district | n/a |
| Pangnirtung | Pangnirtung | Johnny Mike 198 | Harry J Dialla 183 | Sakiasie Sowdlooapik 82 | Hezakiah Oshutapik 67 | | | Unchanged | Hezakiah Oshutapik |
| Quttiktuq | Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, Resolute | Isaac Shooyook 232 | Ron Elliott 152 | | | | | Unchanged | Ron Elliott |
| Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet | Rankin Inlet (north part), Chesterfield Inlet | Tom Sammurtok 212 | Donna Adams 94 | Qilak Kusugak 89 | Harry Niakrok 68 | | | New district | n/a |
| Rankin Inlet South See also #By-election below | Rankin Inlet (south part) | Lorne Kusugak 172 Alexander Sammurtok 172 | | | | | | New district | n/a |
| South Baffin | Cape Dorset, Kimmirut | David Joanasie 409 | Tommy Akavak 160 | Mathew Saveakjuk Jaw 51 | Fred Schell 43 | Joannie Ikkidluak 40 | | Unchanged | Fred Schell |
| Tununiq | Pond Inlet | Joe Enook 359 | David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq 132 | | | | | Unchanged | Joe Enook |
| Uqqummiut | Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq | Samuel Nuqingaq 187 | Niore Iqalukjuak 185 | Loseosie Paneak 62 | Apiusie Apak 49 | Charlie Kalluk 26 | | Unchanged | James Arreak |