by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Guam Election Commission board will meet on Wednesday afternoon as the agency has been unable to iron out a compromise with Electronic Systems & Software. GEC Executive Director John Blas says the commission still owes $141,000 but because it is a prior year obligation, the agency is unable to pay the debt until it receives authorization in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.

This means that manual tabulation could be possible unless the Government of Guam sends ES&S a letter of commitment providing a specific date of when the payment will be made in October.

Meanwhile, the number of registered voters has increased to more than 46,000. The Commission is preparing for the influx of individuals to file their candidacy by the July 6 deadline. So far, only incumbent senators Adolpho Palacios and Telo Taitague, along with candidates Thomas Fejeran and former Guam Education Policy Board chairman Joe San Agustin have filed and met the necessary requirements.

The GEC meeting is scheduled for four o'clock tomorrow afternoon.