Palau’s upcoming elections will see 26 candidates vying for Senate seats and 35 candidates vying for House of Representatives seats

Author: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang

Koror, Palau– A total of 26 candidates are running for the Senate and 35 for the House of Representatives in Palau’s upcoming elections.

All 13 current senators are seeking re-election, and 13 new candidates are vying for Senate seats, according to Palau’s electoral commission. Most of the candidates filed their nominations within the past three days amid speculation of 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 House of Representatives race, Vicky N. Kanai of Airai is the only incumbent not seeking re-election. The rest of the incumbents will run again.

Several states have multiple candidates vying for representative seats. Airai has five candidates, Ngwar has four, and Ngademao and Ngatpong have three each. The other states have two candidates each, with the exception of Aymelik, Ngacheron, Sonsorol and Hatobe, where the incumbent representatives are unopposed.

If the redistricting commission’s decision holds up over the next two months, voters will elect 15 senators and 16 representatives.

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