2 seats tied, Eva Aariak loses in Nunavut election

Two of 22 constituencies are tied, many new faces have been elected as MLAs and Premier Eva Aariak has lost her seat as the votes have now been counted in Nunavut's fourth territorial election.

All in all, only six of the 22MLAselected served in the last legislative assembly.

The biggest news of the night was that George Hickes beatAariak in the constituency of Iqaluit-Tasiluk. Hickes, 44, is the son of George Hickes, the former speaker of Manitoba's legislative assembly.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised," Hickes told CBC News. "I worked very hard."In her concession speech, Aariak thanked her team for all their hard work.

Outside of the premier losing her seat, two other racesalso had particularly unexpected results.

Elections Nunavut reported that AlexanderSammurtokandLorneKusugaktied with 172 votes each in Rankin Inlet South.

Another tie was called in Uqqummiut,where Samuel Nuqingaqof Qikiqtarjuaq and Niore Iqalukjuak of Clyde River both got 187 votes.

According to Elections Nunavut, a tie calls for an automatic judicial recount within the next 10 days. If there is still a tie after the recount, the chief electoral officer willorder a new election.

Speaking to CBC News, Kusugak saidhe has now won one election to become a Nunavut MLA, but he's also lost one and tied one. "I've got a Gordie Howe hat trick," he told CBC News with a smile Monday night.

Youngest candidate a big winner

One surprise in the night was a landslide win by David Joanasiein South Baffin. At age 30, Joanasie was the youngest candidate to run in the election and will be the youngest ever to serve in the legislature. Joanasie took 409 votes, followed by 160 for Tommy Akavak of Kimmirut. The controversial incumbent, Fred Schell came in fourth with 43 votes.

Former premier PaulOkalikwaselected inIqaluit-Sinaa with 180 votes.Okalikhas been out of territorial politics since running for the federal Liberals in 2011. Leesee Papatsie was the runner up in Sinaa with 97 votes, followed by Solomon Awa with 69.

PatAngnakakwas elected inIqaluit-Niaqunnguu, a race where nobody could predict the outcome. Anne Crawford was the runner up there, behind by just 20 votes.MethusalahKunukcame third, with JackAnawakin fourth place.

Elsewhere in the capital, Monica Ell won her seat againby a landslidein the constituency ofIqaluit-Manirajak.

In western Nunavut, Keith Peterson waselected by a huge majorityin Cambridge Bay. This will be his third term in the legislative assembly.

Only 3 women elected

Nunavut's fourth legislature will include three women. That's the same number as the last legislature, but the overall percentage of women has dropped, because there are now 22 seats instead of 19.

In the high Arctic, IsaacShooyookwaselected to representQuttiktuq. Shooyook, 74 and a unilingualInuktitut speaker, beat Ron Elliott, who had hoped for a second term and a shot at cabinet, by 80 votes.

Tom Sammurtok waselected in Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield, and Joe Enook won again in Tununiq.

Joe Savikataaqwaselected in Arviat South.Allan Rumboltwasre-elected in Hudson Bay.

StevenMapsalakwaselected in Aivilik. This will be a return to politics for himMapsalakwas the MLAfor Nanulikfrom 2004-08. His win ousted Johnny Ningeongan, who representedNanulikin the most recent legislature.

Newcomer Simeon Mikkungwakwaselected in Baker Lake.

Tony Akoak is the new MLA for Gjoa Haven and Johnny Mike won in Pangnirtung, pushing aside incumbent Hezekiah Oshutapik.

PaulQuassawon a seat inAggu, just ahead of JohnIllupalik. GeorgeQulautwon inAmmituq. GeorgeKuksukwon inArviatNorth-Whale Cove, narrowly beating Elizabeth Copland 160 to 147.

Two people were acclaimed ahead of the Monday votebecausenobody else ran in those constituencies. PeterTaptunawill representKugluktuk, and JeannieUgyukwill representNetsilik.

With no political parties, the premier won't be known until the 22 members vote on a leader next month. And then that person will name his or her cabinet.

The last time Nunavut went to the polls in 2008, 71 per cent of eligible voters cast theirballots far higher than the Canadian average.

This time just under 70 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.