Premier Peter Taptuna is not seeking re-election Oct. 30.

In a phone interview with Nunavut News/North in August, Taptuna was uncertain whether he would run again.

"My boss hasn't decided yet," he said, referring to his wife Joanne. "Our 40th anniversary is coming up in January and I do have to take full consideration of her wishes at this point. We have to see what we're going to be doing."

In a statement released after the close of the declaration period Sept. 29, Taptuna said he was not seeking re-election and that it had been a difficult family decision.

"It has been a great honour to serve Nunavummiut for the last nine years as minister and then as premier," he said.

"I encourage the next government to continue to step forward together with strong resolve, and to provide Nunavummiut with a clear long-term vision for our vibrant, resilient territory."

Keith Peterson, MLA for Cambridge Bay since 2004 and finance minister since 2008, also declined to run again.

The remaining MLAs, except Aivilik's Steve Mapsalak, are now election hopefuls.

Of 72 candidates, 17 are women.

In 1997, Nunavummiut voted "no" in a gender-parity plebiscite. Had Nunavummiut voted in favour, the Government of Nunavut would have been the first legislated gender-equal government in the world, with voters casting ballots for one male and one female for each constituency.

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Kitikmeot

Cambridge Bay

Jeannie Hakongak Ehaloak

Pamela Gross

Harry Maksagak

Gjoa Haven

Tony Akoak*

Paul Puqiqnak

Joseph Aglukkaq

James Taqaugaq Qitsualik

Kugluktuk

Mila Adjukak Kamingoak

Netsilik

(Kugaaruk, Taloyoak)

Emiliano Qirngnuq*

Joe Tulurialik

Kivalliq

Aivilik

(Coral Harbour, Naujaat)

Jack Anawak

Patterk Netser

Arviat North-Whale Cove

George Kuksuk*

John Main

Arviat South

Joe Savikataaq*

Jason Gibbons

Baker Lake

Simeon Mikkungwak*

Karen Kabloona

Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet

Tom Sammurtok*

Cedric Autut

Cathy Towtongie

Douglas Aggark

Rankin Inlet South

Alexander Sammurtok*

Lorne Kusugak

Qikiqtaaluk

Aggu

(north Iglulik)

Paul A. Quassa*

Jerome Sheaves

Matt Teed

Richard Amarualik

Amittuq

(Hall Beach, south Iglulik)

George Quviq Qulaut*

Solomon Angugasak Allurut

Paul Haulli

Joelie Kaernerk

Jason Ikeperiar

Reena Akumalik Irqittuq

Erasmus Ivvalu

Iqaluit-Tasiluk

(north Iqaluit)

George Hickes*

Jacopoosie Peter

Iqaluit-Manirajak

(west Iqaluit)

Monica Ell-Kanayuk*

Adam Arreak Lightstone

Jude Lewis

Okalik Eegeesiak

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu

(east Iqaluit)

Pat Angnakak*

Franco Buscemi

Anne Crawford

Iqaluit-Sinaa

(south Iqaluit)

Paul Okalik*

Cindy Rennie

Elisapee Sheutiapik

Adamee Itorcheak

Hudson Bay

(Sanikiluaq)

Allan Rumbolt*

Peter Kattuk

Peter Qavvik

Pangnirtung

Johnny Mike*

Harry John Dialla

Margaret Nakashuk

Hezakiah Oshutapik

Quttiktuq

(Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, Resolute)

Isaac Shooyook*

Rachel A. Qitsualik-Tinsley

Leo Eecherk

David Akeeagok

Mishak Allurut

Kataisee Attagutsiak

Andrew Taqtu

Gary Kalluk

Mavis Manik

South Baffin

(Cape Dorset, Kimmirut)

David Joanasie*

Michael Salomonie

Tununiq

(Pond Inlet)

Joe Enook*

Jeannie Mills

David Qamaniq

Uqqummiut

(Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq)

Pauloosie Keyootak*

Jerry Natanine

Johnathan Palluq