CNMI's capital, Saipain Photo: Supplied
The run-off election for Governor of the CNMI has been set for November 25.
It will see incumbent Governor Ralph Torres, and his running mate, Senator Vinnie Sablan of the Republican Party pitted against the independent coalition of Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios and his running mate - Saipan Mayor - David Apatang.
In confirming the date, the Commonwealth Election Commission (CEC) also announced the Palacios and Apatang tandem will be first on the runoff election ballot, while Torres and Sablan will be second.
Torres and Sablan actually topped the November 8 general elections; but failed to gain a majority share of the votes cast, paving the way for the runoff race against the unified independents Palacios and Apatang.
Meanwhile, the third-placed - Democratic Party representatives - Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler - who secured 4,132 votes or 28.01 percent of the total votes cast have already endorsed the Palacios-Apatang tickets in the runoff.
Based on the commission's official tabulation results, Torres and Sablan received 5,728 votes or 38.83% of the total votes cast.
Palacios and Apatang obtained 4,890 votes or 33.15% of the total votes cast.
Meanwhile, the CEC said this year's general elections had a 76.52% voter turnout, which is a bigger turnout than the 2020 elections which saw 72.05% voter turnout.