Historic election as Northern Marianas prepares for federalisation

Historic election as Northern Marianas prepares for federalisation

Gemma Casas, CNMI

Last Updated: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:31:00 +1100

The two leading candidates for governor in the Northern Marianas are campaigning this weekend ahead of their historic runoff election on Monday.

Supporters of incumbent Governor Benigno Fitial and and rival Republican Congressman Heinz Hofschneider are spending the weekend canvassing voters to support their candidacy.

The two will go head-to-head on Monday in the Island's first ever runoff gubernatorial election.

Mr Hofschneider was just eight votes ahead of the Covenant Party candidate when the four-way gubernatorial election was held last November 7.

The United States, which is poised to take over the islands' immigration system on November 28, is closely monitoring the runoff.

The next governor will serve for a term of five years and will be the first to rule under a federalized immigration system.