The Legislature can pass an appropriation measure, but Manglona said it is also likely that the administration will reprogram the $128,000 needed by the Commonwealth Election Commission.
He said he is aware that the commission is now working with the administration to secure the funding.
According to Manglona, this year’s election will be significant because aside from electing a delegate to the U.S. Congress, voters will also decide on two legislative initiatives, which are proposals to amend the CNMI Constitution.
These are H.L.I. 16-18, which authorizes the Department of Public Lands to reserve up to 20 percent of its operational expense for land compensation payments, and H.L.I 16-13 which prohibits any increase in retirement benefits until all government obligations to the Retirement Fund have been satisfied or the system is fully funded.
Manglona said he understands how costly it is to conduct a CNMI-wide election.
“We need to fund it and I have confidence that the administration will make sure the funding is there,” he added.
