KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The Palau Elections Commission says it has enough money to proceed with the recall elections set for July 11 and will no longer wait for the approval of the supplemental budget the commission recently requested.
Baudista Rengulbai, the commission’s executive director, said there is no need to ask for funding from the Olbiiil Era Kelulau, adding that the supplemental budget process request could take a long time.
Rengulbai said the commission has money to cover the expenses for the recall election.
Rengulbai, however, did not reveal how much money the commission has left, but added that it is enough to also cover the expenses for the special elections scheduled this year.
The commission earlier requested a supplemental budget of $33,955 to fund the recall election for Senate President Seit Andres and Sen. Joshua Koshiba.
In a letter to President Tommy Remengesau, Commission Chairman Santos Borja said funding was needed to proceed with the recall election.
Remengesau said lack of funding is not an excuse to disregard the constitutional rights of the people.
He added that the recall election should serve as a wake-up call for leaders “to do their duties.”
The commission has ruled that the petitions filed by supporters of Sen.-elect Elias Camsek Chin’s against the two lawmakers met all legal requirements.
Andres and Koshiba have refused to swear in Chin, claiming that he is a U.S. citizen, which Chin denies.
