Sugiyama has served as the governor of the state for the last two years. She ran against former governor, Schwartz Tudong; and the unofficial election results – with or without the absentee ballots, which are expected to be tabulated next week – indicate that she will remain as the Governor of Ngardmau State for the next four years.
The unofficial results of the race for the office of the state’s governor show that Sugiyama has a commanding lead over Schwartz. Sugiyama garnered 191 votes (81percent of the total votes cast) to Schwartz’s 37 (16 percent). Based on the results, Sugiyama will serve as Governor of Ngardmau State – even if, Schwartz gets all of the 48 absentee ballots.In related news, the candidates for the 9 seats of the state’s legislature would have to wait for the results of the absentee ballots. However, it is speculated that the top 5 vote getters will most likely be seated; and the results of the absentee ballots will determine which of the remaining 15 candidates will get the 4 other seats.The unofficial results of Ngardmau’s legislative race are as follows: Renguul V, Mashahiro, 135; Presley Etibek, 133; Ananias Ngiraiwet, 132; Willard Kumangai, 114; Helen Ngirmekur, 104; Bradley Kumangai, 99; Takesi Ito, 96; Wilhelm Ngiraikelau, 94; Diana Smau, 89; Johnston Blesoch Aderkeroi, 73; Sabu D. Tudong, 71; Lerins Sakaziro, 67; Marino Thomas, 67; Kuiroy Arurang, 66; Tarita Holm, 63; Fermin R. Meriang, 56; Masao Sabo Esebei, 49; Ngirengkebur Tem Meriang, 45; Ngirchoit Tolngii, 32; and Johnny Tudong, 31.According to the Palau Election Commission officials, prior to the election, 41 ballots were sent out to Ngardmau’s registered voters who reside outside of Palau and who had made a timely request for the ballots. In addition, 6 of the state’s registered voters cast their votes before the election day – “walk-in cast” – prior to leaving Palau. The 6 “walk-in cast” ballots will be counted as absentee ballots along with 41 ballots that were sent out. Tabulation of the absentee ballots will be conducted next week.
