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CEC certifies all 67 candidates
Commonwealth Election Commission chair Frances M. Sablan discusses an issue during CEC’s meeting at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday. From left, CEC administrative officer Kayla S. Igitol, commissioner Leilani I. Manglona (Rota), commissioner Jesus I. Sablan (Saipan), chair Frances M. Sablan, acting CEC executive director Julita A. Villagomez, commissioner Donald Hofschneider (Tinian), and commissioner Trinidad L. Rabauliman (Saipan). (Ferdie de la Torre)
The Commonwealth Election Commission yesterday certified the names of 67 candidates for 37 positions up for grabs at the Nov. 8 general election.
At a CEC meeting held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, acting CEC executive director Julita A. Villagomez informed the five CEC commissioners that all candidates have met the requirements of law to be placed on the ballot for the general election.
The Commonwealth Code gives CEC the duty to ensure that individuals meet the qualifications and requirements before their names are placed on the ballot.
Without objection from the commissioners, CEC, led by its chair Frances M. Sablan, adopted CEC resolution 16-001, certifying the 67 candidates.
The other CEC commissioners present were Jesus Sablan, Donald Hofschneider, Trinidad Rabauliman, and Lelanie Manglona.
“Through resolution, we certified the candidates. Our staff found that everything was in compliance. We went ahead and adopted that today,” chair Sablan said.
She said the 67 candidates and the 37 seats include Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, who is seeking retention on the bench.
U.S. Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP), who is seeking his fifth term, is running unopposed. First elected in 2008, Sablan became the first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the CNMI.
There are 35 other seats—three for the Senate, 20 for House of Representatives seats, nine for municipal councils, and three for the Board of Education.
For the Senate there are seven candidates, while 40 for the House. For the municipal councils there are 12, and six for the Board of Education.
At the meeting, CEC also adopted the ballot layout.
