By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The position of Governor of Ngatpang State is now open again for any interested and qualified candidate.
On Tuesday April 10, the Supreme Court’s Trial Division ordered a new election to be held on May 9 in Consolidated Civil Action Nos. 99-205 (Republic of Palau vs. Ngatpang State Government) and 06-297 (Remoket Ngirngetrang, et al, vs. Palau Election Commission).
The deadline for filing is set on April 24.
The Supreme Court order stated that "If the required number of votes (120 out of 239 possible votes) is not achieved by a single gubernatorial candidate on May 9, 2007, then a runoff election of the two top vote-getters shall be held shortly thereafter.
It would be recalled that the three candidates on the March 29 first gubernatorial election did not garner enough votes to qualify for the position.
Based on the official results of that election, Francesca Otong garnered a total of 91 votes out of the 178 total votes cast or 74 percent of the total registered voters of 239.
Demei Otobed came in second with 65 and Martin Blodak with 21.