THE islands’ three political groups set up camp across from the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Monday, the first day of the early-voting period, confident that their candidates will win the election.
“I am extremely hopeful that, based on the performance of the Democrats who are currently serving in the House of Representatives, people will respond in kind, because I think they have delivered what they promised during the last midterm election,” said Daniel O. Quitugua, NMI Democratic Party Central Executive Committee member. “I am certain that the people saw that and will make the decision according to how they feel about [the Democrats’] performances.”
He added, “We’re leaving it up to the voting population. This is their time to express their decision. We are encouraged, though, by the responses that we receive during the home visitations, as we continue to do canvassing throughout the islands, not only here on Saipan, but on Tinian as well as our island of Rota, so we were very encouraged by the responses that we received from the people at home.”
To first-time voters, he said, “I wish you the best in your decision. I hope that that decision would be in the best interest of the future young folks of the CNMI.”
He said if voters would “look at the history of the CNMI throughout the Republican administration, it’s full of disappointment, and the hopes of young folks have been dampened with respect to all these accusations and alleged corruption that are currently happening in the CNMI. Our governor has been impeached by the House. He can claim that he was exonerated in the Senate. But then again…the attorney general…has filed a criminal complaint against the governor, and that speaks for itself, right?
Quitugua said “the best chance for a brighter future” are the candidacies of Rep. Christina “Tina” Sablan for governor and running mate Rep. Leila Staffler, “together with the other candidates under the Democratic Party. I am hopeful for the youth, that they also are concerned about their future. That concern for their future is represented by Tina and Leila.”
Very confident
For his part, former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta expressed confidence in the Independent slate of Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and running mate Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, as well as the other Independent candidates.
“I’m very confident. As an elected official for almost 20 years, unbeatable in my precinct, I’m very confident that we have silent voters that haven’t shown up in the last several months, but they are with us,” said Babauta, the chair of the AD 2022 campaign committee.
He said AD supporters lined up outside of their designated early voting polling places as early as 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
“We’re very excited from here on, and we’re looking forward to a victorious election,” he added.
“To first-time voters, my message is to go out and exercise your constitutional right to vote. Hopefully, you choose ‘AD 2022’ because number two on the ballot is always for all of you. That’s the team that we have now, rebuilding trust back to the people so that they can trust their government one more time,” Babauta said.
Excited
In a separate interview, NMI Republican Party Chair James Ada said he and the party have “worked for the last year and three months —we’ve worked hard, and we’ve been moving back and forth alongside the candidates,” including with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan.
Ada said he’s “excited about this election. We’re more than ready…. I want to thank our great supporters for the last one year and three months that have been following the Torres-Sablan team, and of course, the Republican Party. I want to thank them again for coming out today. It’s All Souls’ Day. We have so many people from the precincts that are eager to volunteer their time, including our voters in the United States. Thank you again for coming over and we appreciate your time.”
To first-time voters, he said, “Please exercise your right and go out there and vote. Please vote Torres-Sablan and all of the Republican candidates.”
The early-voting period will continue until Nov. 7. Election Day is Nov. 8.
According to the CNMI Constitution, “if no candidates receive more than one half of the total votes cast and counted for the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, on the fourteenth day thereafter, a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for governor and the lieutenant governor receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast and counted for those offices.”
For more Election Day information, visit votecnmi.gov.mp or contact the Commonwealth Election Commission at (670) 235-8682/3/5 or cec@votecnmi.gov.mp/.
Supporters, candidates and party leaders gather early Tuesday morning under the NMI Democratic Party canopies across from the multi-purpose center.
An Independent supporter flashes the “V” sign.
Republican candidates, leaders and supporters are seen under their canopies.
