Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan and author of House Bill 16-123, said tourists who are not aware of the alcohol ban should not be penalized.
The first CNMI congressional election will be held on Nov. 4.
Santos said the prohibition of alcoholic beverage sale on Election Day is aimed at preventing conflicts between election camps but this measure “has a potential loss of economic growth within our tourism industry.”
“This is an industry that the CNMI has been largely dependent on for its economic growth for the past 30 years. Thus, our tourists’ visit within the CNMI should not be hampered in any way. Tourists visiting the commonwealth on Election Day are restricted from purchasing alcoholic beverages for their consumption though they are not involved with local political affairs,” said Santos in her bill.
Her bill seeks to amend the commonwealth code by inserting a clause that will exempt “hotels or hotel resorts with two-hundred fifty or more guest rooms, or golf course resorts” from the alcohol ban during Election Day.
Any person convicted of selling, buying or consuming alcohol on Election Day faces a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 100 days, or both.
