Against a backdrop of ruin left by a typhoon and a super typhoon, CNMI voters will troop today, Tuesday, to polling places to elect among 93 candidates a total of 45 positions, including the government\u2019s top positions of governor and lieutenant governor.<\/p>\n
Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Julita A. Villagomez said they are well prepared for today\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease exercise your right,\u201d Villagomez urged voters.<\/p>\n
As of last Oct. 5, there were 18,975 registered voters in the CNMI. <\/p>\n
Yesterday was the last day of the seven-day early voting and Villagomez said it had a very good turnout.<\/p>\n
A technician from the Nebraska-based company Election Systems and Software, with the assistance of CEC staff, has been working on the five tabulating machines. \u201cThey\u2019d be ready for tomorrow,\u201d Villagomez said.<\/p>\n
During the six days of early voting, from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11, a total of 5,816 cast their votes in the CNMI, according to CEC.<\/p>\n
Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) was among those who beat the last day of early voting yesterday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n
Manglona saw a lot of people yesterday. For him, it was a very good turnout.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want a high turnout because it will reflect the true sentiment of our voters in the community. I know that people are suffering, trying to get back on their feet, preparing their homes and cleaning their yards,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said he is very appreciative of everyone for proceeding with the election, despite all the hard work that still needs to be done after the super typhoon\u2019s destruction. <\/p>\n
He said he heard there was a large turnout on Rota. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an opportunity every two years for our\u2026people to come and exercise their right to vote and make a difference in their government,\u201d Manglona said.<\/p>\n
In the 2016 election, Manglona voted on election day itself on Rota. For this year, there was a scheduled session at the Senate but that has been cancelled so he\u2019s stuck on Saipan.<\/p>\n
Manglona sees a need to change the law in the election process. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to have a reason to come and vote early. They don\u2019t have to let voters check a box as to the reason for early voting. \u2026We should encourage everyone to vote early.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Tuesday, voters will decide whether to allow Gov. Ralph DLG Torres of the NMI Republican Party to continue to lead the Commonwealth, or pick former governor Juan N. Babauta.<\/p>\n
Torres\u2019 running mate is Senate President Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), while Babauta\u2019s running partner is former Education commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan. <\/p>\n
Aside from the 45 positions, voters will also decide whether to retain on the bench CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio. Saipan Tribune did not include Castro and Kim-Tenorio on the list of the 93 candidates.<\/p>\n
At this year\u2019s poll, there will be no runoff election and Attorney General Edward Manibusan is a sure winner, having no one challenging his re-election bid as the Commonwealth\u2019s top counsel. Tinian has also no candidate for the island\u2019s Board of Education lone seat. <\/p>\n
The ruling Republican Party has 33 candidates, while 41 are running as independents and two are from the Democratic Party. There are 17 non-partisan candidates, including Manibusan.<\/p>\n
People will also decide whether to approve Delegate Kilili Camacho Sablan\u2019s (Ind-MP) election for a sixth term as the CNMI\u2019s non-voting representative to the U.S. Congress, or choose a younger politician, Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan). <\/p>\n
In the Saipan mayoral race, voters will judge whether Mayor David M. Apatang, another Republican candidate, should be re-elected, or this time select Ramon Blas Camacho, an independent.<\/p>\n
In the Tinian mayoral race, people will vote either the Republican Party\u2019s Edwin Palacios Aldan or Henry Hofschneider San Nicolas, an independent.<\/p>\n
In the crowded race in Rota\u2019s mayoral race, people will judge if Mayor Efraim M. Atalig (Republican), who is facing corruption charges in federal and local courts, should be re-elected or select any of his four independent challengers: Steve King Mesngon, Julie Marie Ogo Manglona, Richard Evangelista Taisacan, or Crispin Ayuyu.<\/p>\n
For the Northern Islands, people have two choices\u2014the Republican Party\u2019s Diego Litulumar Kaipat or the independent incumbent Mayor Vicente Cruz Santos Jr.<\/p>\n
People will also vote for six Senate seats\u2014two each for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. For the House, there are 20 seats. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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