The Commonwealth Election Commission officially closed the filing process on Monday and is scheduled to hold a meeting today to certify the petitions of all candidates, said Julita Villagomez, a senior administrative officer of the agency.
By law, the commission must have nine members — five from Saipan and two each from Tinian and Rota.
On Saturday, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial administered the swearing-in ceremony for five commissioners who were reappointed for another four years.
Commissioners Frances M. Sablan, Jose L. Itibus and Elizabeth DLG Aldan, who represent Saipan, will each serve until Aug. 8, 2013.
Commissioner Lelanie I. Manglona of Rota will serve until July 29, 2013 while Antonio R. Agulto of Saipan will serve until July 30, 2013.
As of yesterday, 14,816 voters had registered with the commission.
Their number is expected to rise as the commission will continue to register until Sept. 18.
The commission said registered voters should be at least 18 years old as of Nov. 7, 2009.
He/she must be domiciled in the commonwealth, has resided in the CNMI for 120 days prior to the Nov. 7 general elections, is not serving a sentence for a felony conviction, has not been declared by a court to be judicially insane, and is either a citizen or national of the United States as defined in the local Constitution.
Registered voters who failed to vote in the 2007 general election must re-register to be eligible to vote this year.
The commission said its office at 1313 Anatahan Drive on Capital Hill, is open for registration from Monday to Friday at 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Voters can also register every Saturday at the PriceCostco where the commission regularly holds a voter registration drive. The last voter registration scheduled for the site is set for Sept. 12.
On Nov. 7, voters will elect a governor, a lt. governor, six senators, 20 members of the House of Representatives, four mayors, nine municipal council members and two Board of Education members.
