Pierluisi says he is no longer NPP president, refrain from commenting on early voting

By The Star Staff

Arguing that he is no longer the New Progressive Party president, Governor Pedro Pierluisi said on Tuesday that he will not issue an opinion on the NPP’s decision on mail ballots for early voting.

New Progressive Party (NPP) electoral commissioner Aníbal Vega Borges has proposed that electoral ballots be sent by regular mail instead of certified mail, as in the primaries.

“Well, in general terms, I favor early voting, voting by mail, and any measure that facilitates it; in general terms, I view it favorably. That decision is in the hands of the electoral commissioner, and it is not my place to comment on that. I am no longer the president of the New Progressive Party,” he said.

Current electoral commissioner, Aníbal Vega Borges and NPP President Jennifer Gonzalez speak for the NPP.

“In other words, it is they, she and the commissioner who must establish the position. So I’m not going to give an opinion beyond that,” the governor said to questions from the press.

Pierluisi reiterated his decision not to participate in NPP campaign activities, such as the September convention.

“I do not plan to attend the convention. As I have said, I am focused on my job as governor in the best way I can support the party and the party’s candidates. I am not campaigning, I am not aspiring to any elective position. This convention aims to promote the election of all my party’s candidates. So, I feel that at this given moment, it is not my place to participate in that type of activity. I am not going to be attending party activities. That has been my decision. I am totally focused on governance. The best way I can assist my party and the party’s candidates is by governing Puerto Rico well until January 1,” he said.