Herb Nakimayak confirmed in Nunakput following judicial recount

Herb Nakimayak has officially been elected as MLA of Nunakput, following a judicial recount Monday morning that confirmed his four-vote margin over incumbent Jackie Jacobsen.

Nakimayak won the riding, which includes the communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, and Paulatuk by the razor-thin margin in the territorial election on Nov. 23. The close result automatically triggered a judicial recount, which took place this morning in Yellowknife. 

"The support that the communities displayed is a strong voice for change," Nakimayak wrote in a Facebook post once the results were confirmed. "I look forward to advocating for all Nunakput constituents! God bless you all!!"

Three of the territory's 19 ridings — the Yellowknife ridings of Range Lake and Yellowknife North, in addition to Nunakput — had margins close enough to force judicial recounts. Under N.W.T. election rules, a recount is ordered in ridings where there is a tie for first place or where the difference between first and second place is less than two per cent of the total votes cast in the riding.

• N.W.T. votes 2015 | Yellowknifers opt for change
• N.W.T. votes 2015 | Results from the N.W.T.'s communities

The recount for Range Lake was held Monday afternoon. Election NWT's website now has Caroline Cochrane-Johnson taking Range Lake by only five votes over incumbent MLA Daryl Dolynny, though no official statement of the recount's result has yet been announced. Dolynny conceded Monday afternoon on Facebook.

The recount for Yellowknife North will be held Tuesday. Cory Vanthyune took that riding by 16 votes over Dan Wong.