President Whipps, Oilouch hold strong leads in Palau's 12th general election
KOROR, Palau – Early vote counts from Palau's 12th General Election indicate that President Surangel Whipps Jr. is on track for another four-year term, securing 57.6% of votes cast in the initial tally. Raynold "Arnold" Oilouch, who ran for Vice President, holds a commanding 69.7% of the vote.
Election analysts anticipate minimal shifts in these results based on historical trends. In previous elections, the leading candidates in early counts typically maintained their positions after absentee ballots were processed. In the 2020 election, Whipps led with 59% in initial counts and kept his lead through the final tally. Following this trend, former President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. extended congratulations to President Whipps, while Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior conceded to Oilouch, affirming his likely victory.
For Senate candidates, uncertainty remains. While the top 10 of the 15 Senate seats appear secure, candidates in positions 11 to 15 are separated by narrow margins, making final results pending absentee counts. There were 2,913 absentee ballots mailed, which could influence close races, especially between the 14th and 15th spots. If current counts hold, the Senate will retain 11 incumbents and see four new members: Brian Melairei, Siegfried Nakamura, Ann Latii Pedro, and Lee Otobed.
The House of Delegates races saw some clear winners, while several seats remain undecided. In Kayangel, Noah Kemesong leads by 62 votes, a margin his opponent is unlikely to overcome given the small number of absentee ballots. In Ngarchelong, Timothy Sinsak ran unopposed, receiving 387 votes. Elender Ngirameketii appears likely to unseat Masasinge Arurang in Ngiwal, with a 23-vote lead that could shift if remaining ballots favor the incumbent.
Ngaraard's race has Gibson Kanai ahead with 280 votes, 71 more than his competitor. In Melekeok, Silverius Tellei's 78-vote advantage over Frutoso "Toto" Tellei seems secure. One of the tightest contests is in Ngchesar, where Rebecca Sebalt Ngirmechaet leads Speaker Sabino Anastacio by just four votes, an outcome that could easily change.
Airai saw Stephanie Ngirchoimei lead with 299 votes, a significant margin over her closest challengers, each tied with 129 votes. Ngardmau's three-way race remains a toss-up, with only three votes separating first-place Blesoch Aderkeroi from second-place Fermin Meriang.
In Ngeremlengui, Portia Franz leads incumbent Swenny Ongidobel by 56 votes, and absentee ballots are unlikely to close this gap. In Ngatpang, Francesca Otong holds a 28-vote lead, with absentee ballots expected to split evenly among the candidates. Aimeliik's incumbent, Warren Umetaro, ran unopposed and will retain his seat.
In Koror, the most populous state, incumbent Mengkur Recheluul leads Joseph "Joe" Aitaro by 121 votes. With a substantial number of absentee ballots still to be counted, this race remains unpredictable.
Other states see clearer outcomes. In Peleliu, Nace Soalablai's 131-vote lead appears secure, while in Angaur, Mario Gulibert leads by 50 votes, enough to likely hold the seat. Sonsorol and Hatohobei states had unopposed candidates, Yutaka Gibbons Jr. and Sebastian Marino, respectively.
Overall, 7,513 votes have been cast, with voter turnout currently at 45% of Palau's 16,627 registered voters. Comparatively, 61% and 60.9% of voters participated in the 2016 and 2020 elections, respectively. The final turnout and any absentee ballot impacts will be clear by Tuesday, November 12.
