The debate is the brainchild of Ebiil Society, Inc. (ESI) and Bngal a Klikm (BK) – non-governmental organizations composed of mostly Ngarchelong youth.
According to Bridgette Adachi, secretary and treasurer of ESI, members of both organizations decided that – in the best interest of the people of the state – all four candidates must be brought into a setting where each would publicly portray his or her platform relative to issues that concern the citizens of the state most.Members of both organizations, in separate organizational meetings, elected to sponsor and organize a debate for the four candidates.The four candidates – Tina Rechucher, Marhence Madrangchar, Don Bukurrou, and Dilmai Saiske – were informed of ESI and BK intent.“All of the candidates have agreed to participate in the debate,” Adachi said. “Members of ESI and BK are in the process of making arrangements for the debate.”Adachi further added that each of the candidates would only have to answer to 8 questions – four of which have been given to them. The other four questions will remain unknown to them until the day of the debate.“We have drafted and given four questions to each of the candidates,” Adachi said. “The questions directly are derived from issues that both of the organizations are concerned with and we want each of the candidates to prepare for their answers. Because members of the communities of the state will definitely be present during the debate, we opted to allow that the remaining four questions be raised by the community members.”According to Adachi, members of both organizations will conduct, monitor, and record the debate. Moreover, dependent on the outcome of the debate – and if deemed necessary – further debates will be organized prior to Election Day.“We are really hoping that through this debate the people will be provided with an opportunity to get information that would enable them to choose a candidate who would best serve the people’s interests,” Adachi said. “We’d like the people to hear what each of our candidates has to say on issues that matter most – the things that affect our everyday living.”
