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Special Election set for Pohnpei District No.2

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): May 2001 - On May 11, 2001, Speaker Jack Fritz of the Twelfth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, officially declared the vacancy of the Congressional Seat for Election District-2 in Pohnpei State.

In his letter to Bernell Edward, National Election Commissioner for Pohnpei State, Speaker Fritz referred to the vacancy as the unfortunate consequence of the untimely passing of Senator Wagner Lawrence on April 9, 2001. The vacancy that according to the FSM Constitution (Article IX, Section 12) must be filled by election, provided its given the due process of law.

According to the law, a Special Election must be held fifty days after the vacancy has been declared.

The Special Election for Pohnpei State's District 2 (Madolenihmw and Kitti) is slated for June 30, 2001.

Nomination petitions are to be submitted to the office of the National Election Commissioner no later than midnight on Thursday, May 31, 2001.

The petitions, according to the Notice released by the National Election Director, must be "signed by at least 25 qualified voters of Pohnpei Election District No. 2. Each nomination petition must be accompanied by a $100. filing fee."

Incomplete petitions are permitted to proceed as write-in candidate, but will then pay the $100 fee if elected to the seat.

According to the National Commissioner's office nine nomination petitions have been given out and only one has been returned and filed