Saipan Tribune

Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday, September 17, 2012

Chamber sets election debates schedule

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce announced Friday ticket sales dates and other details for the upcoming SCC Saipan Senatorial Debate on Oct. 10, 2012, and the SCC U.S. Congressional Debate on Oct. 17, 2012.

Both debates will be held at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center, with both debates commencing at 6:30pm.

Tickets available only to Saipan Chamber of Commerce members will be sold at the SCC offices beginning at 8am, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. At 8am, Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, tickets will be made available to the general public. Tickets are $10, and any remaining seats will be offered at $15 the evenings of the debates themselves.

At a meeting of the candidates and their campaign designees held Sept. 10, 2012, at the SCC offices, candidates received 50 tickets each, as well as the SCC 2012 Senatorial and U.S. Congressional Candidate Debate Rules and Procedures. Every ticket sold for the event has Audience Rules printed on the back of the ticket, and all those entering the debate hall will receive a Candidate Debate brochure pamphlet listing all rules for the audience.

Rules and procedures for the candidates during the debate include debate times, and that no one can enter the debate hall after 6:30pm until an intermission. Questions will be drawn randomly, seating for the candidates is assigned based upon their ballot designation, no profanity is allowed, no campaigning is allowed, candidates are asked to speak in English, no notes can be used until closing statements, no alcohol is allowed, there will be no photographs or interviews until after the debates, and there are time requirements for responding to posed questions.

Each candidate received 50 debate tickets for their supporters, and will be allowed to purchase additional tickets after Chamber members and the general public are given the opportunity to purchase their tickets. The entire debates will be filmed, and will be televised after the debates conclude. There will be no live television. (SCC)