GOP weighs impact of election reform

The Republican Party will look into the impact of the new election reform bill now pending before Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on the forthcoming primary on the gubernatorial race, according to chairman Joseph C. Reyes.

In particular, he said provisions allowing the Board of Elections to administer primaries are a big concern for the GOP.
“The primary is a party matter. It should be left to the party to conduct that exercise,” the Republican chairman said Friday.

SB 12-16 cleared the House of Representatives last Thursday without amendment, tossing the measure to the governor for his signature.

The legislation will repeal the Election Act of the CNMI, which has been untouched since 1977, and put in place new procedures and requirements for the registration of voters and the overall conduct of elections on the islands.

In a report endorsing the measure, the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations chaired by Rep. Dino M. Jones maintained revamp of existing election laws will “meet the tests and demands” of the growing population as well as the ever-evolving political development here.

Local officials as well as the Board of Elections have considered the bill as major improvement over existing election policies and addresses the most ambiguous and problematic issues which occur practically in every election.

According to Mr. Reyes, he plans to meet with BOE officials to discuss the matter if the proposed law will affect the conduct of Republican primary set for November 4 this year.

The team of Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan and Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez will face Representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta and Rep. Diego T. Benavente for the top gubernatorial slots during the primary.

Mr. Reyes said he does not see any change in the plan to hold this party exercise in three months, although GOP leaders hope to meet with the candidates as soon as possible as part of the preparation.

“We’re in the planning stage right now and we’ve got a lot of work to do,” he added.

Aside from the two aspiring standard bearers, other potential candidates who have already declared their bids include former Lt. Gov. Pete A. Tenorio for Washington representative, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes and Rep. David M. Apatang for the two seats for the third senatorial district, and Henry I. Sablan for Saipan Mayor.

The GOP’s official candidate for governor is expected to head in the November 2001 polls to a three-way race for the highest elected post in the CNMI with Democratic bet, former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja, and Reform Party stalwart, former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio.