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Democrats hold primary
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Posted on Dec 01 2000
Democrats are appealing to more than 12,000 voters on Saipan to go out and vote in the open primary tomorrow to decide who will be the party’s official candidate to the mayoralty election next year on the island.
Rep. Antonio Muna Camacho and former Rep. Juan Borja Tudela are seeking its endorsement to run for Saipan mayor in the November 2001 polls.
This is the first time ever that Democrats are conducting a primary ahead of an election, according to party chair, former Gov. Carlos S. Camacho.
“Everybody is welcome to vote regardless of their party affiliation,” he told in an interview yesterday. “We hope that people will use their right to vote. We’d like to have as many voters as possible.”
All registered voters on Saipan on or before Nov. 20 this year are eligible. Polling booths in 10 precincts on the island will open at 8:00 a.m. and will accept voters until 5:00 p.m.
Elementary schools in San Antonio, San Vicente, Koblerville and Kagman will serve as voting centers for Precinct 1 residents; Saipan Municipal Council Building in Chalan Kanoa for Precinct 2; Oleai and Garapan Elementary Schools for Precinct 3; and Tanapag and Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary Schools as well as Legislative Building for Precinct 4.
Counting of votes will begin at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Susupe immediately after the polls close, and the results are expected before the night is over, said Mr. Camacho.
Both the camps of the two aspirants will provide poll supervisors, poll workers and tabulators during the political exercise, while party officials will stay neutral to respond to any dispute if any, he added.
The party chief expects the primary to run smoothly and orderly, saying this is an “in-house family affair” that should not be tainted with rabid campaigning from both sides.
“We try to minimize criticizing each other during the campaign,” said Mr. Camacho, noting the party’s unity is still the most important thing for them.
The two candidates have generally kept a low-key campaign for the past two months, unlike the Republican open primary for the 2001 gubernatorial election held last Nov. 4 which was marked by heated battle between the camps of Babauta-Benavente and Pepero-Kiyu.
