Republic of Palau: Senate, 1 November 2016

At stake in this election:

• 13 seats in the Senate

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:

• Members of the Senate are directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms.

Last Election:

• Elections for the Senate were last held on 6 November 2012. There are no political parties in Palau and all candidates stand as independents.

Note: There are 24 candidates contesting the 2016 elections for Senate.

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.)