Election Resulrs to Stream Live with Enhanced Tabulation Technology in Palau
By: L.N. Reklai
Election ballot tabulation in Palau will rely on upgraded tabulating machines, with oversight by the tabulation committee, said Palau Election Commission (PEC) Managing Director Sherwin Yamanguchi.
"Like last election, the machines will count ballots, tally votes, and align results with tabulators to ensure accuracy," Yamanguchi stated.
The PEC's technical team expects the updated system to speed up processing significantly, thanks to new features. A key improvement allows the machines to scan and count write-in candidates. "We still review each write-in manually since some may write multiple names, but the system is designed to read only one and discard any extras," explained Yamanguchi. For races like the Senate, where voters can enter multiple names, each ballot will be visually verified for accuracy. The system's new scanning feature is expected to accelerate this review.
To minimize errors and disqualified ballots, the machine will let the voter know if they have entered more names than they should, such as voting for 16 senators instead of just 15. The machine is said to tell you that you have exceeded the number of candidates required and ask if you wish to correct your ballot. If you vote for one extra person over the required number of candidates, your ballot will be disqualified. A person can choose less than 15 senators but if voters vote more than 15 candidates, their ballots will be disqualified.
Two main tabulation machines will be stationed at two central voting locations: one at the Palau National Gym in Koror, covering most states, and another in Airai. These machines will count ballots as they are cast, minimizing time spent verifying vote totals at Palau's largest precincts. Ballots from other areas, including outlying states and Babeldaob, will be transported to Koror and tallied on the second day post-election. Absentee ballots, both domestic and international, will be counted seven days after election day.
Another upgrade includes an electronic display board that will show real-time results streamed live to the public. Election results will also be broadcast on local radio from the Palau National Gym, where tabulation takes place.
This general election day marks Palau's first National Day of Democracy, a national holiday designated by President Surangel Whipps Jr.
