DUE to a lack of quorum, the Commonwealth Election Commission board meeting did not take place as scheduled on Friday.
CEC Executive Director Kayla S. Igitol said the nine-seat board has four vacancies and one of the commissioners, vice chair Doris Ann Aldan-Atalig of Saipan, was off-island.
The other board members are chair Jesus I. Sablan of Saipan, Esther A. Yatar of Rota, Lelanie I. Manglona of Rota, and John Diego Attao of Tinian.
Igitol said three of the vacancies on the board are for Saipan and one is for Tinian.
Recently, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres appointed Proserpina T. Magofna to the election board.
Igitol said five commissioners constitute a quorum, and at least one member from each of the senatorial districts must be present.
“All decisions of the commission shall be made by three-fourths vote of the members,” she added.
The commissioners had a number of items on their agenda, including certifying the candidacies of Corina L. Magofna of the NMI Democratic Party, and Grace “Pitu” Sablan-Vaiagae of the NMI Republican Party for the Oct. 16 special election to fill the House Precinct 3 seat left vacant by the sudden passing of Rep. Ivan A. Blanco in July.
The election board was also supposed to approve the ballot layout and the designation of polling places, Igitol said.
The last day for Precinct 3 constituents to register to vote in the special election is this Friday, Sept. 17.
Early voting will start on Saturday, Oct. 9 and will run for a week.
The deadline to request for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Sept. 21.
