The 2003 Northwest Territories general election was held on November 24, 2003, to elect the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly.

Quick Facts 19 seats in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories ...

2003 Northwest Territories general election

← 1999 November 24, 2003 2007 →
← outgoing members elected members →
19 seats in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Premier before election Stephen Kakfwi Premier after election Joe Handley

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The election was called on October 27. Premier Stephen Kakfwi had previously chosen not to run.

The territory operates on a consensus government system with no political parties; the premier is subsequently chosen by and from the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). There were 21,474 registered voters at the time of the election.

Issues at the election included:

• devolution of federal powers,
• the method of choosing the premier,
• the alcohol abuse and suicide problems,
• shortage of medical professionals and affordable housing;
• school crowding,
• the $85-million deficit;
• sharing of profits from mining and oil and gas development.

Elections were held in 14 of the 19 electoral districts. The following five districts acclaimed their MLA:

• Hay River North: Paul Delorey
• Inuvik Boot Lake: Floyd Roland
• Mackenzie Delta: David Krutko
• Weledeh: Joe Handley
• Yellowknife South: Brendan Bell

The following is a list of the districts with their winning candidates.

Results (CBC News)

Joe Handley was acclaimed premier by the legislature on December 10, 2003. His two prospective opponents, Roger Allen and Floyd Roland, had announced that they would not run against him.^[1]

In an unusual occurrence, the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes experienced 150% voter turnout. 356 people were registered to vote in that riding, but an additional 187 showed up at the ballot box. A resident of a riding eligible but not registered to vote may register on the spot by presenting a proof of residency. ^[2]