2008 Palauan general election

Last updated
2008 Palauan general election
Flag of Palau.svg
  2004 4 November 2008 2012  
Presidential election
  Johnson Toribiong.jpg Elias Camsek Chin.jpg
Nominee Johnson Toribiong Elias Camsek Chin
Party Independent Independent
Running mate Kerai Mariur Alan R. Seid
Popular vote5,0404,828
Percentage51.07%48.93%

President before election

Tommy Remengesau
Independent

Elected President

Johnson Toribiong
Independent

General elections were held in Palau on 4 November 2008 to elect the President and members of the National Congress. The presidential election was won by Johnson Toribiong. Incumbent President Tommy Remengesau was ineligible to run because he had served the maximum two consecutive terms allowed and announced that he would run for a seat in the Senate. [1]

Contents

This was the first election in Palau in which presidential candidates ran with a declared vice-presidential candidates. [1] In previous elections, the President and vice-presidents had been elected separately, and the winners of those elections served as a "national leadership team". [1]

Presidential candidates

Primary elections were held on 23 September, [1] with two candidates progressing to the general election in November. Four candidates registered for the primary elections:

Campaign

All four presidential candidates and their running mates held rallies throughout Palau. Campaigning also took place in overseas Palauan communities in the mainland United States, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. [1]

A total of 43 candidates ran for the thirteen seats in the Senate, [1] while 44 candidates contested the sixteen seats in the House of Delegates. [1] A record ten women were competing for seats in the Senate and House of Delegates, [1] with seven women running for the at large Senate race. [1]

Results

President

Elias Chin and Johnson Toribiong were the top two vote-getters in the primary elections. Chin and Toribiong then faced each other in the general election. [2] In early, preliminary results Toribiong held a 130-vote lead over Chin, with 1,629 votes to Chin's 1,499. [3] Toribiong and his running mate, Kerai Mariur, were declared the winner of the election on 7 November. [4] It was reported that Toribiong had received a concession phone call from Vice-President Chin. [4]

CandidateRunning matePrimaryGeneral
Votes%Votes%
Elias Camsek Chin Alan Seid3,02732.954,82848.93
Johnson Toribiong Kerai Mariur 2,52627.495,04051.07
Surangel Whipps Billy Kuartei2,24824.47
Joshua Koshiba Jackson Ngiraingas1,38715.10
Total9,188100.009,868100.00
Valid votes9,18898.859,86894.26
Invalid/blank votes1071.156015.74
Total votes9,295100.0010,469100.00
Registered voters/turnout14,28973.27
Source: Shuster

Senate

Surangel Whipps, Jr. made history by becoming the first Senator to win by write-in. He also received the highest percentage (65%) of votes of any senatorial candidate since his father achieved 73.5% of the vote.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Independents121,994100.0013+4
Total121,994100.0013+4
Total votes10,469
Registered voters/turnout14,28973.27
Source: IPU

Elected members

  1. Surangel Whipps Jr. (6,461)
  2. Raynold Oilouch (6,073)
  3. Mlib Tmetuchl (5,360)
  4. Joel Toribiong (5,086)
  5. Katharine Kesolei (4,947)
  6. Mark U. Rudimch (4,891)
  7. Hokkons Baules (4,437)
  8. Adalbert Eledui (3,934)
  9. Regina Mesebeluu(3,731)
  10. Alfonso N. Diaz (3,603)
  11. Tommy Remengesau Jr. (3,579)
  12. Regis Akitaya (3,144)
  13. Paul Ueki (3,044)

House of Delegates

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Independents5,853100.00160
Total5,853100.00160
Valid votes5,85396.01
Invalid/blank votes2433.99
Total votes6,096100.00
Registered voters/turnout14,28942.66
Source: IPU

By state

StateCandidateVotesNotes
Aimeliik Kalistus Ngirturong269Elected
Warren Umetaro182
Airai Tmewang Rengulbai525Elected
Noah Secharraimul389
Angaur Horace Rafael172Elected
Natus Misech121
Hatohobei Wayne Andrew40Elected
Sebastian Marino35
Huan Hosei33
Kayangel Noah Kemesong180Elected
Jeffrey Titiml120
Koror Alexander Merep 1,845Elected
Salvador Tellames700
Hilaro Ngiraidong385
Melekeok Lentcer Basilius171Elected
Teodoro Rengulbai99
Kazuo Asanuma81
Danny Ongelungel60
Ngaraard Gibson Kanai422Elected
Salvador Remoket358
Ngarchelong Marhence Madrangchar203Elected
Faustina Rehuher-Marugg 191
Dilmai Saiske 188
Don Bukurrow164
Ngardmau Rebluud Kesolei193Elected
Balkuu Kumangai92
Ngaremlengui Swenny Ongidobel218Elected
Portia Franz136
Alonzo Kyota83
Ngatpang Jerry Nabeyama97Elected
Valentino Emesiochel89
Ngchesar Secilil Eldebechel 112Elected
Moses Uludong99
Sirino Hideo52
Zacheus Kotaro44
Marcello Ngirkelau42
Bonifacio Basilius22
Ngiwal Noah Idechong 125Elected
Krispin Termeteet52
Francis Llecholch41
Peleliu Jonathan Isechal338Elected
Sinton Soalablai256
Sonsorol Celestin Yangilmau61Elected
Edwin Mario42
Marcelino Xavier30
Source: Psephos

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Miho, David (2008-09-20). "Palauans Prepare For Tuesday Primary Election". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 2008-09-20.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. Miho, David (2008-10-01). "Absentee Ballots Don't Change Outcome Of Palau Presidential Primary". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 2008-10-26.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. Miho, David (2008-11-05). "Toribiong Has The Lead In Palau Presidential Vote". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 2008-11-04.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 Miho, David (2008-11-07). "Johnson Toribiong Wins Palau Presidential Race". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 2008-11-06.[ permanent dead link ]