Polls begin to close across Nunavut in the territory’s 7th general election

Polls are beginning to close across parts of Nunavut, as voters cast their final ballots to elect 20 new members to the territory’s seventh legislative assembly. 

In two constituencies, no elections will take place because the candidates, including former government house leader David Joanasie, were acclaimed. 

Polls close at 7 p.m. local time across three timezones.

The results are being broadcast now in our live election special hosted by Teresa Qiatsuq in English and Inuktitut. You can watch that live on CBC North’s website as well.

Results by constituency will be updated here in English, and here in Inuktitut, as they come in.

Voter turnout has been steadily declining since the first Nunavut general election in 1999. Less than half of eligible voters cast a ballot in 2021, compared to 86 per cent in 1999. 

Speaking to CBC News ahead of election day, Manitok Thompson, one of Nunavut’s first MLAs, said she, alongside other Nunavummiut, were so excited about the territory when it was first created. 

But fast forward to 2025, she said the government’s slow progress on important issues like the high cost of living and a housing crisis is fuelling voter apathy. 

“I think they are not seeing any changes that are from their basic needs. Those are the people that go out to vote, but they’re not going out anymore,” she said.

The youth vote will be a crucial one to watch. About half of Nunavut’s population is under 25 years of age, though the last territorial election saw youth had the lowest voter registration. 

Elections Nunavut would not provide the number of eligible voters in this year’s election to CBC News.