GIFF JOHNSON
Another extremely low-turnout vote for an important election was the highlight of Friday’s election for an upcoming constitutional convention.
There were virtually no lines at any polling station in Majuro during the morning Friday. And it did not pick up appreciably in the afternoon.
This was a sign of the low-voter interest in the ConCon election and contrasts dramatically with the long lines seen at downtown and other public schools around Majuro during the every-four-year general election.
The fact that Electoral Administration tabulators finishing counting every ballot cast in Majuro less than 48 hours after the close of voting Friday was another demonstration of the low turnout.
Chief Electoral Officer Benjamin Kiluwe said Tuesday late afternoon that he hoped to announced the “final unofficial” results by Wednesday this week. This announcement will trigger a two-week period during which candidates can file complaints or requests for recounts.
One petition for a recount was already filed by the Vice Speaker of Nitijela Isaac Zackhras. In the still unofficial count, he was losing to Rendy Johnny, 276 votes, and Wilson Note, 255 votes, in the two-seat race. Zackhras had 219. The Ailinglaplap totals included both Ailinglaplap regular votes and Majuro absentees.
His petition seeks a recount based on what he said was “reasonable grounds to believe that errors or irregularities may have occurred…” His petition, dated three days before the election but stamped received by the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs that oversees Electoral on July 14, cites no specifics.
Other results that were based on both regular votes and some absentees (listing only those competitively in the race):
- Majuro five seats: Kalani Kaneko 557, Kenneth Kedi 518, Jina David 504, Brenson Wase 485, Leikman Zedkeia 438, Yoland Zedkaia 414, Junior Aini 377, and Stacy Samuel Peralta 312.
- Namdrik: Mabel Peter 157, Wisely Zackhras 98.
- Wotje: Lokjen Hemos 201, Hirobo Obeketang 94.
- Arno two seats: Mike Halferty 237, Gerald Zackios 160, and Jejwadrik Anton 110.
- Jaluit two seats: Cuttty Wase 334, Riem Simon 135, Joe Hanchor 114, and Rington Paul 108.
- Kwajalein three seats: Kitlang Kabua 265, Jerry Jacklick 199, David Paul 175, Davidson Jajo 131.
All results are likely to change before the final unofficial results are issued.
Meanwhile, the two week clock for counting postal absentee ballots began ticking from last Friday’s election. The two weeks are up Friday July 24 and Kiluwe said he will take all postal ballots received by this time on Saturday morning July 25 to begin the tabulation at the ICC.
Very few postal ballots are anticipated as only about 230 ballots were mailed out to Marshallese living overseas who requested ballots.