Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jrs’ nominating petition for re-election was filed on Monday 05 August at Palau Election Commission.
Since Whipps is currently off-island, his petition was filed by his family and supporters on his behalf.
“In signing the petition, we vow our strong support and belief in our President Surangel Whipps, Jr.to continue to lead our country for another four years so that security and prosperity for all our people, their families, and their children are secured’, says Co-Chairman of the A Kot a Rechad er Belau Committee to re-elect President SWJ, Kione Isechal.
Given that there are only two candidates in the presidential race, there will be no primary election. Voters will select a president in the general election scheduled for 05 November.
This up-coming election will be the second time Palauan voters will choose between Whipps and Remengesau in the general election ballot.
In the last presidential election between these same two candidates in 2016, Whipps got 4,865 votes to Remengesau’s 5,129. A difference of 264 votes.
As election day nears, both candidates Whipps and Remengesau and their supporters are actively campaigning in Palau and abroad.
Meanwhile, twenty-six candidates are running for the Senate, and 35 for the House of Delegates in Palau’s upcoming general election.
According to the Palau Election Commission, all 13 incumbent senators are seeking re-election, with 13 new candidates also contending for Senate seats. Most candidates submitted their nomination petitions within the last three days, following speculation about a lack of interested candidates.
The new Senate candidates include Ann Singeo, Dilmei Olkeriil, Ismael Remoket, Sandra Pierantozzi, Moses Uludong, Joann Risong Tarkong, Jeff Ngirarsaol, Blodak Quichocho, Seigfried Nakamura, Brian Melairei, Ann Pedro, and Lee Otobed.
In the race for the House of Delegates, Vicky N. Kanai of Airai is the only incumbent not seeking re-election. The remaining incumbents are running again.
Several states have multiple candidates vying for their delegate seat. Airai has five candidates, Ngiwal has four, and Ngardmau and Ngatpang each have three. The other states have two candidates each, except for Aimeliik, Ngarchelong, Sonsorol, and Hatohobei, where the incumbent delegates are running unopposed.
If the re-apportionment committee’s decision remains unchanged over the next two months, voters will elect 15 senators and 16 delegates.
