2024 Palauan general election

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5 November 2024

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Presidential election


Nominee	Surangel Whipps Jr.	Thomas Remengesau Jr.
Party	Independent	Independent
Popular vote	5,626	4,103
Percentage	57.74%	42.11%

President before election

Surangel Whipps Jr.
Independent

President after election

Surangel Whipps Jr.
Independent

Vice Presidential election


Nominee	Raynold Oilouch	Uduch Sengebau Senior
Party	Independent	Independent
Popular vote	6,726	2,829
Percentage	70.25%	29.55%

Vice President before election

Uduch Sengebau Senior

Vice President after election

Raynold Oilouch
Independent

Politics of Palau


Constitution Human rights LGBT rights
Executive President Surangel Whipps Jr. Vice President Uduch Sengebau Senior
Legislative National Congress Senate President: Hokkons Baules House of Delegates Speaker: Sabino Anastacio
Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Oldiais Ngiraikelau
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v t e

General elections were held in Palau on 5 November 2024 to elect a President and the National Congress. Incumbent President Surangel Whipps Jr. faced former president Tommy Remengesau Jr. in the election, and was reelected in a landslide. This was the first presidential election where Remengesau lost.

Electoral system

The president was elected using the two-round system.

The 15 members of the Senate were elected from a single nationwide constituency by block voting, with each voter having 15 votes to cast. The 16 members of the House of Delegates were elected in single-member constituencies based on the states using first-past-the-post voting.

Candidates

For President

Declared

Candidate	Experience	Home state	Campaign	Ref.
Candidate	Experience	Home state	Date announced	Ref.
Surangel Whipps Jr. (born 1968, age 56)	President (since 2021) Other offices: Senator (2009–2016)	Ngatpang	Palauan People First
Surangel Whipps Jr. (born 1968, age 56)		Ngatpang	11 February 2024
Thomas Remengesau Jr. (born 1956, age 68)	President (2001–2009, 2013–2021) Other offices: Vice President (1993–2001) Minister of Administration (1993–2001)	Koror	Together, we can make tomorrow Better
Thomas Remengesau Jr. (born 1956, age 68)		Koror	24 February 2024

For Vice President

Candidate	Experience	Home state	Campaign	Ref.
Candidate	Experience	Home state	Date announced	Ref.
Uduch Sengebau Senior (born 1965, age 59)	Vice President (since 2021) Other offices: Minister of Justice (since 2021) Minister of Justice (2021) Senator (2013–2021)	Koror	Palau Family First
Uduch Sengebau Senior (born 1965, age 59)		Koror	6 February 2024
Raynold Oilouch (born 1965, age 59)	Vice President (2017–2021) Other offices: Minister of Justice (2017–2021) Senator (2009–2017)	Ngchesar	Moving Forward Together
Raynold Oilouch (born 1965, age 59)		Ngchesar	27 May 2024

Campaign

Campaigning was marred by diplomatic and economic issues. Tommy Remengesau Jr criticized growing security relations with the United States under Whipps' presidency, which the latter has supported as a "deterrent". Remengesau also pledged to revoke a 15% tax on goods introduced by Whipps.

Results

Preliminary results appeared to show Surangel Whipps Jr. leading in the presidential race, while Raynold Oilouch was leading as vice president. Whipps formally claimed victory on 11 November, while Remengesau conceded defeat earlier.

President


Candidate	Votes	%
Surangel Whipps Jr.	5,626	57.74
Thomas Remengesau Jr.	4,103	42.11
Write-in	15	0.15
Total	9,744	100.00

Valid votes	9,744	99.16
Invalid/blank votes	83	0.84
Total votes	9,827	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	16,916	58.09
Source: Palau Election Commission

Vice president


Candidate	Votes	%
Raynold Oilouch	6,726	70.25
Uduch Sengebau Senior	2,829	29.55
Write-in	20	0.21
Total	9,575	100.00

Valid votes	9,575	97.44
Invalid/blank votes	252	2.56
Total votes	9,827	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	16,916	58.09
Source: Palau Election Commission

Senate

Candidate	Votes	Notes
Steve Kuartei	5,224	Elected
Mason Ngirchechebangel Whipps	5,019	Elected
Andrew Tabelual	4,742	Elected
Mark U. Rudimch	4,621	Elected
Brian Melairei	4,088	Elected
Kazuki L. "Topps" Sungino	4,070	Elected
Siegfried Bai Nakamura	4,053	Elected
Secilil Eldebechel	4,048	Elected
Ann Latii Pedro	4,039	Elected
TJ Imrur Remengesau	4,003	Elected
Salvador Sadoi Tellames	3,929	Elected
Lentcer Basilius	3,884	Elected
Rukebai Inabo	3,787	Elected
Lee T. Otobed	3,704	Elected
Hokkons Baules	3,657	Elected
Kerai Mariur	3,593
Joann Risong Tarkong	3,052
Umiich Sengebau	3,009
Ann Kloulechad Singeo	2,947
Blodak S. Quichocho	2,852
Vierra Joel Toribiong	2,784
Sandra Sumang Pierantozzi	2,558
Jeff Ngirarsaol	2,519
Dilmei L. Olkeriil	1,773
Moses Y. Uludong	1,665
Ismael Remoket	309
Write-in	695
Source: Palau Election Commission

House of Delegates

State	Candidate	Votes	Notes
Aimeliik	Warren S. Umetaro	271	Elected
Aimeliik	Write-in	4

Airai	Stephanie Ngirchoimei	299	Elected
	Ralph F. Kanai	129
	Johana Ngiruchelbad	129
	Williander Ngotel	85
	Reagan Sidoi	85
	Write-in	3

Angaur	Mario S. Gulibert	111	Elected
	Kennosuke A. Suzuky	61
	Write-in	2

Hatohobei	Sebastian R. Marino	36	Elected
Hatohobei	Write-in	24

Kayangel	Noah Kemesong	137	Elected
Kayangel	Wayland Dulei Keizi	75

Koror	Mengkur W. Rechelulk	1,301	Elected
	Joseph "Joe" Aitaro	1,180
	Write-in	4

Melekeok	Silverius Ouch Tellei	216	Elected
	Frutoso "Toto" Tellei	138
	Write-in	1

Ngaraard	Gibson Kanai	280	Elected
	Wilbert Ngirakamerang	209
	Write-in	1

Ngarchelong	Timothy R. Sinsak	387	Elected
Ngarchelong	Write-in	65

Ngardmau	Blesoch Aderkeroi	84	Elected
	Fermin R. Meriang	81
	Dodger Kumangai	71
	Write-in	1

Ngaremlengui	Portia Franz Kesolei	180	Elected
Ngaremlengui	Swenny Ongidobel	124

Ngatpang	Francesca Ruluked Otong	133	Elected
Ngatpang	John Techitong	105

Ngchesar	Rebecca Sebalt Ngirmechaet	137	Elected
Ngchesar	Sabino Anastacio	133

Ngiwal	Ellender Ngirameketii	140	Elected
	Masasinge Arurang	117
	Elmis Mesubed Bechab	50
	Eugene "Usin" Termeteet	40

Peleliu	Nace N. Soalablai	264	Elected
	Serelina Bota Ridep	133
	Write-in	2

Sonsorol	Yutaka Gibbons Jr.	118	Elected
Sonsorol	Write-in	4
Source: Palau Election Commission

Aftermath

Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te sent congratulations to Whipps and his vice president, Raynold Oilouch, upon their reelection and election respectively.

References

"Primary Election Decision Pending as Filing Deadline Approaches in Palau". Island Times. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
"Whipps v Remengesau: Brothers-in-law to run against each other in 2024 Palau elections". RNZ. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
Palau IFES
"Palau (House of Delegates), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union.
"Surangel Whipps, Jr. Speech on Re - Election Campaign Launch (2024WARD) Sunday, February 11th, 2024 at Kokusai, Ngatpang". TMC Palau. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
Reklai, Leilani. ""Palauans First" Campaign Reboots: Whipps, Jr. seeks Second Term". Island Times. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
^ ""Palauans First" Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term". Islands Business. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
"Former Palau President Tommy Remengesau announces candidacy, vows to lead Caring Government". Pacific Islands News Associations. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
"Tommy 2024 Our Grassroots Candidate". TMC Palau. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
"Tommy 2024 our Grassroots Candidate". TMC Palau. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
"Former President Remengesau Announces Candidacy, Vows to Lead "Caring Government"". Island Times. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
Reklai, Leilani (6 February 2024). "Vice President Senior Vows to Run Again, Highlighting Family and Vulnerable Populations". Island Times. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
"I am Honored to announce my Candidacy for Re-Election". Uduch Sengebau Senior. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
"Re-Election Announcement". Uduch Sengebau Senior. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
"Re-Elect J. Uduch Sengebau Senior for Vice President 2024". Uduch Sengebau Senior. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
"Vice President Raynold Oilouch for 2024". Raynold Oilouch. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
Reklai, Leilani (2024-04-12). "Raynold "Arnold" Oilouch announces bid for Vice Presidency". Island Times. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
"Raynold "Arnold" Oilouch - Declaration for Vice President 2024". Diaz Broadcasting Palau. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
"Raynold "Arnold" Oilouch Declaration for Vice President 2024". TMC Palau. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
"Palau polls open as pro-US president faces election test". France 24. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
"Unofficial election results coming in for Guam, Palau, CNMI". RNZ. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
^ "Taiwan congratulates Palau President Whipps on reelection". Focus Taiwan. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
"Pro-US incumbent claims victory in Palau presidential vote". France 24. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
Reklai, Leilani (13 December 2024). "New Faces, New Roles". Island Times.

v t e Elections and referendums in Palau
Presidential elections	1980 1984 1985 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Parliamentary elections	1947 1971 1975 1978 1979 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Referendums	1976 1979 (Jul) 1979 (Oct) 1980 1983 1984 1986 (Feb) 1986 (Dec) 1987 (Jun) 1987 (4 Aug) 1987 (21 Aug) 1990 1992 1993 1996 2004 2008 2011 2020
See also: Elections and referendums in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

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