 July 1: Special Election for FSMPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 30, 2003 - The Office of the National Elections Director has announced that the Special Congressional Election for the states of Chuuk and Yap will be held on July 1, 2003. The Special Election will fill the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia four-year seats vacated by President Joseph J. Urusemal of Yap and Vice President Redley Killion of Chuuk. Speaker Peter M. Christian had declared the vacancies after the at-large Senators assumed their roles at the Executive Branch on May 12. The Office of the National Elections Director (NED) had since its declaration, been accepting petitions for the vacated seats. June 1, has been set as the closing date for filing petition for the at-large seats. Valid petitions must include 25 voter signatures accompanied by a filing fee of $100. Several petition applications have been picked up for both States, but filed petitions as of date are: Chuuk State: Yap State: The Office of the NED has given options to the FSM citizens living abroad, to either vote through Absentee Ballots with the FSM Embassy in Washington D.C or FSM Consulate General Office in Honolulu. The closing date for requesting Absentee Ballot is June 25 or five days before the Special Election. The other option for the citizens living abroad is to cast their votes at the Special Polling Places established in Honolulu, Guam or Saipan. This option is available to the citizens previously registered for the National Elections in March. For more information please contact: Office of the National Elections Director Ph: (691) 320-4283 Fx: (691) 320-7534 e-mail: ned@mail.fm Absentee ballot requests are also available at: www.fsmpio.fm |