Steven Taqtu Secures Quttiktuq Seat After Judicial Recount

Steven Taqtu will represent the residents of the Nunavut electorate of Quttiktuq after a judicial recount confirmed his victory on March 15, 2024. This recount marked the third occurrence of its kind in Nunavut due to the narrow margins seen on election day. Taqtu secured 121 of the 253 total votes, defeating his opponent, Philip Kalluk, by a slim margin of just 14 votes.

This election marks Taqtu’s inaugural term in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly. His victory is part of a series of closely contested races across the territory, which also included judicial recounts in the constituencies of Pangnirtung and Aggu.

Close Contests Lead to Recounts

In Pangnirtung, the results of the recount confirmed that Johnny Mike will return to office in the seventh Legislative Assembly. Mike previously represented the community during the fourth assembly from 2013 to 2017. His re-election reflects ongoing support from the constituents as they continue to navigate local challenges.

The situation in Aggu is more complex, as the judicial recount revealed a tie between the two candidates. This outcome means that voters will need to return to the polls to determine their representative. Kiran Situt, the Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Nunavut, has been contacted to clarify when this new election will take place.

The judicial recount process highlights the significance of each vote in these closely contested elections. Taqtu’s victory, along with the developments in Pangnirtung and Aggu, underscores the dynamic electoral landscape in Nunavut, where every vote carries substantial weight.

As the new assembly prepares to convene, constituents in Quttiktuq and beyond await the impact of these electoral outcomes on local governance and community issues. The results from this election cycle may set the tone for future political engagement in the region.