Parliamentary elections will be held in the Federated States of Micronesia on Tuesday, March s, to elect 10 of the 14 seats of the Congress of Micronesia for a two-year term.
There are no political parties in FSM and all candidates run as independents
In Pohnpei, Gov. T.H. Reed B. Oliver granted two hours of administrative leave for all employees of the state government to cast their votes.
Last week, FSM President Panuelo amended a decree suspending use of special polling places in Guam and Honolulu.
The president said absentee ballots received by March 16 will be counted.
"The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that citizens’ rights of suffrage in the democratic process is upheld, and to avoid disenfranchisement of eligible voters during the Covid-19 pandemic," according to FSM Information Office.
The FSM government said absentee ballots must still be appropriately postmarked and must be sent no later than March 2.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition