Republic of Palau: President, 1 November 2016

At stake in this election:

• The office of the President of the Palau

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013)
• Head of Government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013)
• Assembly: Palau has a bicameral Olbiil Era Kelulau (National Congress) composed of the Senate, which currently has 13 seats, and the House of Delegates with 16 seats.[1]

Description of electoral system

• The president is directly elected by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed for a 4-year term.

Last Election:

• The last presidential election was held on 6 November 2012. Tommy REMENGESAU was elected with 58% of the vote, defeating incumbent Johnson TORIBIONG.

Main candidates in the election:

• Surangel WHIPPS
• Tommy REMENGESAU

Note: There are no political parties in Palau and all candidates run as independents. Prior to the presidential election, there is a primary election, following which the top two candidates move on to the second round of voting. In the primary, held on 27 September 2016, Sandra PIERANTOZZI and Antonio BELLS were eliminated, leaving Surangel WHIPPS and Tommy REMENGESAU to contest the 1 November election.

Population and number of registered voters:

·         Population: 21,265 (July 2015 est.)

·         Registered Voters: 15,890 (2016)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 10,144 (July 2015 est.)

·         Is Palau a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (20 September 2011)

·         Has Palau ratified CEDAW: No

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 0 (House of Delegates); 3 (Senate)

·         Human Development Index Position: 60

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is Palau a signatory to CRPD: Yes (20 September 2011)

·         Has Palau ratified CRPD: Yes (11 June 2013)

·         Population with a disability: 4,711 (est.)