Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who did not publicly endorse any candidate for the historic congressional election, is urging voters to exercise their political right. “Go out and vote for the best guy!” he said.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the delegate will play a crucial role in pushing for CNMI issues in Washington, D.C.
“The administration is prepared to work with any elected delegate in a non-partisan manner and with the best interests of the CNMI in mind. The administration respects the will and the choice of the people,” he said.
A total of 12,947 residents registered to vote for this election. About 1,112 more registered as absentee voters, data from the Commonwealth Election Commission showed.
The nine delegate candidates are:
1. John Oliver DLR. Gonzales — Ind.
2. Chong Man Won — Ind.
3. David M. Cing — Democrat
4. Juan T. Lizama — Ind.
5. Pete A. Tenorio — Republican
6. Luis P. Crisostimo — Ind.
7. John H. Davis — Ind.
8. Gregorio C. Sablan — Ind.
9. Felipe Q. Atalig — Ind.
Manual counting
Julita Villagomez, the acting executive director of the commission, said votes for this historic election will be counted manually because the printed ballots were not designed to be machine-counted due to lack of funds.
She told Variety in an interview yesterday that local funds weren’t sufficient to print special ballots that can be counted mechanically.
“Our ballots this year are not designed for machine counting,” she said. “We have no money.”
The local government tried to secure federal funds for the delegate election but its request was turned down by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The election commissioners will manually count the ballots starting at pre-dawn of Nov. 5 at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Absentee ballots will be counted on Nov. 18.
In case two or more candidates get an equal number of votes, a runoff election will be held.
Villagomez said there’s only one elected post on the ballot so counting the votes should not be that difficult.
For the second year in a row, election staffers will not get compensated for their overtime.
Villagomez said their extra hours will be considered comp-time.
She and Election Administrative Specialist Jermae Cabrera are also urging voters to vote.
Historic election
Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan and chairman of the House Committee on U.S. and Federal Affairs, said he’s very glad that after the islands’ 32 years of political union with the U.S., the CNMI will finally have a delegate to the U.S. Congress just like Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We need to have a delegate who should look into the federalization law and allow us the opportunity to push for considerations that we are asking the feds,” he said.
“He should also fight for funding, especially for our utilities. Our economy is also a major important issue.”
The CNMI delegate, who will get $170,000 annually just like other U.S. House members, can introduce bills and participate in committee deliberations. But he cannot vote on the floor.
CNMI Republican Party President Ed Tenorio said this is a very important election that people should not take for granted.
“This is a major step in our political history,” he said.
Precinct 1
1-A San Antonio Elementary School
1-B-1 San Vicente Elementary School
1-B-2 San Vicente Elementary School
1-B-3 San Vicente Elementary School
1-C Koblerville Elementary School Cafeteria
Precinct 2
Municipal Council Office
Precinct 3
3-A Oleai Elementary School Cafeteria
3-B-1 Garapan Elementary School
3-B-2 Garapan Elementary School
3-B-3 Garapan Elementary School
Precinct 4
4-A Tanapag Youth Center
4-B San Roque Elementary Cafeteria
4-C Capital Hill/Legislature
4-D Northern Islands
Precinct 5
5-1 Kagman Community Center
5-2 Kagman Community Center
Precinct 6
Tinian Youth Center
Precinct 7
Rota NMC Campus
Source: Commonwealth Election Commission
