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CEC to certify runoff election results Friday
CEC board members to meet Friday in preparation for counting of remaining absentee votes
The Commonwealth Election Commission board is expected to certify this Friday the gubernatorial runoff election results shortly after counting the remaining absentee votes.
The CEC sent out 2,139 absentee ballots and only 315 have been returned as of Nov. 25.
CEC executive director Kayla S. Igitol earlier stated that the remaining absentee votes must be postmarked on or before Nov. 25, Saipan time, to be counted this Friday.
With Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, of the unified independent team, enjoying a commanding 1,060-vote lead, it’s mathematically improbable for Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), of the Republican Party, to catch up.
Torres and Sablan have already conceded defeat and declared that it’s time to heal and come together.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry, CEC administrative specialist Ambrosio Joaquin “AJ” Lisua said yesterday that the CEC board members will meet this Friday at 10am at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
Lisua said absentee ballots will be picked up at 11am Friday at the U.S. Postal Service in Chalan Kanoa and brought to the multi-purpose center.
He said CEC staff will pick up the ballots and they will be accompanied by Department of Public Safety police officers and Office of the Public Auditor representatives.
“Then we will start the processing for final tabulation,” Lisua said.
