Tommy Remengesau Jr.
KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Following the wrap up of votes’ tabulation on Wednesday last week, Presidential candidate Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. and Vice President Uduch Sengebau Senior have both offered their concessions.
Delivering his statement, which was aired through the radio and shared on many social media platforms, Remengesau said, “The election is finished. The people of Palau have spoken through a peaceful and free election.”
In his statement, the former four-term president congratulated President Surangel Whipps Jr. and vice presidential candidate Raynold Oilouch, stating that “even though we are still waiting for absentee votes to be counted this week, the winners for the office of the President and Vice President are clear.”
Remengesau also shared that he had communicated with President Whipps and offered his congratulations while Whipps in return gave him his well wishes.
In a similar spirit, Vice President Senior posted on social media, which was shared by many, offering her congratulations to both Whipps and Oilouch.
She wrote, “It’s been a great honor to have served as VP of Palau these past four years. Congratulations to Vice President-elect…Raynold Oilouch as he embarks on the journey for the next four years.”
While the deadline for the arrival of absentee ballots back to Palau is Nov. 12, the winners for Palau’s top two political offices are unlikely to change.
According to the Palau Election Commission, 2,913 ballots were mailed out to absentee voters. As of Nov. 1, only 435 had been returned.
Early vote counts indicate that President Whipps is on track for another four-year term, securing 57.6% of the votes cast in the initial tally.
Raynold “Arnold” Oilouch, who ran for vice president, holds a commanding 69.7% of the vote.
Election analysts anticipate minimal shifts in these results based on historical trends.
In previous elections, the leading candidates in early counts typically maintained their positions after absentee ballots were processed. In the 2020 election, Whipps led with 59% in initial counts and kept his lead through the final tally.
Other races
For Senate candidates, uncertainty remains. While the top 10 of the 15 Senate seats appear secure, candidates in positions 11 to 15 are separated by narrow margins, making final results pending absentee counts. There were 2,913 absentee ballots mailed, which could influence close races, especially between the 14th and 15th spots. If current counts hold, the Senate will retain 11 incumbents and see four new members: Brian Melairei, Siegfried Nakamura, Ann Latii Pedro, and Lee Otobed.
The House of Delegates races saw some clear winners, while several seats remain undecided. In Kayangel, Noah Kemesong leads by 62 votes, a margin his opponent is unlikely to overcome given the small number of absentee ballots. In Ngarchelong, Timothy Sinsak ran unopposed, receiving 387 votes. Elender Ngirameketii appears likely to unseat Masasinge Arurang in Ngiwal, with a 23-vote lead that could shift if remaining ballots favor the incumbent.
Ngaraard’s race has Gibson Kanai ahead with 280 votes, 71 more than his competitor. In Melekeok, Silverius Tellei’s 78-vote advantage over Frutoso “Toto” Tellei seems secure. One of the tightest contests is in Ngchesar, where Rebecca Sebalt Ngirmechaet leads Speaker Sabino Anastacio by just four votes, an outcome that could easily change.
Airai saw Stephanie Ngirchoimei lead with 299 votes, a significant margin over her closest challengers, each tied with 129 votes. Ngardmau’s three-way race remains a toss-up, with only three votes separating first-place Blesoch Aderkeroi from second-place Fermin Meriang.
In Ngeremlengui, Portia Franz leads incumbent Swenny Ongidobel by 56 votes, and absentee ballots are unlikely to close this gap. In Ngatpang, Francesca Otong holds a 28-vote lead, with absentee ballots expected to split evenly among the candidates. Aimeliik’s incumbent, Warren Umetaro, ran unopposed and will retain his seat.
In Koror, the most populous state, incumbent Mengkur Recheluul leads Joseph “Joe” Aitaro by 121 votes. With a substantial number of absentee ballots still to be counted, this race remains unpredictable.
Other states see clearer outcomes. In Peleliu, Nace Soalablai’s 131-vote lead appears secure, while in Angaur, Mario Gulibert leads by 50 votes, enough to likely hold the seat. Sonsorol and Hatohobei states had unopposed candidates, Yutaka Gibbons Jr. and Sebastian Marino, respectively.
Overall, 7,513 votes have been cast, with voter turnout currently at 45% of Palau’s 16,627 registered voters.
Comparatively, 61% and 60.9% of voters participated in the 2016 and 2020 elections, respectively. The final turnout and any absentee ballot impacts should be clear by Tuesday Nov. 12.
