Byelection to replace Jeannie Ugyuk could take place in January

Nunavut could be heading for its third January byelection in three years to find a new MLA for Netsilik after Jeannie Ugyuk resigned on Monday.

In January 2014Rankin Inlet South MLA Alexander Sammurtok was elected in a byelection. This past January, Pauloosie Keeyootak was elected in a byelection in Uqqummiut.

A byelection must be called within six months to find a replacement forUgyuk.

• Jeannie Ugyuk, Nunavut minister of Family Services, resigns

• Nunavut cabinet shuffle gives Family Services portfolio to George Kuksuk

"It would be pretty difficult for that to happen in the next month or two,"said SandyKusugak, Nunavut's chief electoral officer."The assembly sits again on Feb.24 so I believe that would be the date that the government would be aiming for."

With the holiday season approaching, it would be hard to hold an electionbefore the end of the year.

An election can only take place 35 days after the writ is dropped. The successful candidate alsoneeds time to get financial statements submitted before his or her first sitting.

"TheNunavutElections Act says the successful candidate has to submit the financial returnsbefore they can sit and vote in the assembly," saidKusugak, although the new MLA can be sworn in.

Kusugaksays her office is always ready.

"We have to be prepared for a byelection at any time,"saidKusugak, "I might say that we're always prepared for a byelection. A general election that was a surprise would be a more difficult task.

The territorial government will set the date of the byelection.The commissioner and executive council will send a proclamation to Kusugak announcing the date. Kusugak will then issue a writ to the constituency's returning officer.