by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - An invitation for bid awaits the Guam Election Commission's approval before it can move forward with purchasing new tabulation machines. Commissioners had until December 10 to review and comment on the third draft of the IFB and according to executive director Maria Pangelinan based on the absence of comments, it appears the IFB is acceptable.

"This one is not a baby step, this a big giant step," she explained. "I'm confident that it will, in terms of the machine, we still have enough time to get them here."

Pangelinan says should the GEC approve the IFB at its next meeting on January 22, a notice will not only be published in the newspaper and the GEC website, but all five vendors who had previously qualified will be sent an invitation as well. She says if everything goes smoothly, the earliest we could see new tabulation machines is possibly in May. The primary election meanwhile is set for August 30.