Elections NWT

Elections NWT is an agency functioning as an independent arm of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. The agency is mandated to enforce laws relating to territorial elections, including those of conduct related to campaigning and finance. The agency also administers general elections, by-elections and plebiscites in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Its principal mandate is to educate, inform and empower all eligible electors and candidates in the Northwest Territories.

Prior to the existence of Elections NWT, territorial elections were run by Elections Canada and its predecessor agency the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. That agency was in charge of all electoral activity in the territory since 1951. Prior to 1905 the Lieutenant Governor of the territory was responsible for elections oversight.

In 2007 Elections NWT became responsible for dropping the writs in accordance with fixed election date legislation. The act of dropping the writ removed the last power regarding elections from the Commissioner of the territories. It is also responsible for publishing election returns, reports and candidate finances as well as creating advertising campaigns. In addition it is responsible for hiring staff during election campaigns. The Chief electoral officer is elected by the Legislative Assembly.

Early history

The first provisions in legislation regarding the oversight of Northwest Territories elections was adopted in 1880 with an amendment to the...
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