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OPA getting reports of election law violations
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Posted on Jun 22 2005
The Office of the Public Auditor has started receiving reports of alleged violations of election-related regulations.
Public auditor Michael Sablan said yesterday that the most commonly reported violations include campaigning or soliciting campaign contributions on government time or property, and receipt of contributions from contractors or entities doing business with the government.
“We have received some complaints. We’re expecting things to heat up in July or August,” said Sablan.
He reported that OPA was also investigating allegations of possible vote buying during the 2003 elections. He said an elected official had requested OPA to look into a case involving a political candidate who flew in voters from off-island to participate in the elections.
The CNMI election law prohibits anyone from giving or receiving anything of value in exchange for a promise to vote for or any candidate or issue on the ballot, or even a promise to vote or not to vote.
Candidates or their campaign committee are also barred from giving any monetary or in-kind contributions to encourage a voter to support or oppose a candidate, or even to encourage or discourage someone from voting in an election.
Such contributions include airplane tickets, purchase of fundraising tickets, payments of utility, television or telephone charges, car rentals, car repair, and the like.
Violators may be fined up to $50,000 or sent to jail for up to 5 years, or both.
OPA will conduct a seminar on the Election Reform Law starting 6pm tonight in the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The seminar is open to all political parties and the public.
Similar seminars are scheduled to be conducted on Rota and Tinian on June 27 and 29, respectively.
