Precinct 3 Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb told Variety yesterday that there are political groups telling their supporters “not to disrupt” the Republican primary on Saturday.
The way he sees it, Tebuteb said these political leaders are basically discouraging the people from exercising their fundamental right to vote.
The lawmaker is reminding CNMI voters that no one can tell them not to exercise their right to vote.
Responsible politicians should encourage the people to exercise their right to choose their leaders, he added.
“There are people who don’t necessarily support me, but I still encourage them to participate in the primary,” he said.
GOP president Ed Tenorio is also urging voters to participate in the primary.
“It’s an open primary so we encourage all voters to come out and vote,” he added.
Tenorio assures the people that the primary will not result in a split up of the party.
The two Republican camps have already pledged that whoever wins on Saturday will get their support for the general elections in November.
“That was the pledge of unity. Both camps will join hands and support who ever wins the primary,” Tenorio said.
Since 1977, the GOP has been holding an open gubernatorial primary.
The only year it didn’t hold a primary was in 2005.
The GOP has won five of the CNMI’s eight gubernatorial elections.
