2024 Palauan general election

General elections were held in Palau on 5 November 2024 to elect a President and the National Congress.^[1][2] Incumbent President Surangel Whipps Jr. faced former president Tommy Remengesau Jr. in the election, and was reelected in a landslide. This was the first presidential election where Remengesau lost.

2024 Palauan general election

← 2020 5 November 2024 2028 →

Presidential election

Nominee Surangel Whipps Jr. Thomas Remengesau Jr. Party Independent Independent Popular vote 5,626 4,103 Percentage 57.74% 42.11%

President before election Surangel Whipps Jr. Independent President after election Surangel Whipps Jr. Independent

Vice Presidential election

Nominee Raynold Oilouch Uduch Sengebau Senior Party Independent Independent Popular vote 6,726 2,829 Percentage 70.25% 29.55%

Vice President before election Uduch Sengebau Senior Vice President after election Raynold Oilouch Independent

Electoral system

The president was elected using the two-round system.^[3]

The 15 members of the Senate were elected from a single nationwide constituency by block voting, with each voter having 15 votes to cast. The 16 members of the House of Delegates were elected in single-member constituencies based on the states using first-past-the-post voting.^[4]

Candidates

For President

Declared

Candidate		Experience	Home state	Campaign	Ref.
				Date announced
Surangel Whipps Jr. (born 1968, age 56)		President (since 2021) Other offices: Senator (2009–2016)	Ngatpang	Palauan People First	[5] [6] [7]
				11 February 2024
Thomas Remengesau Jr. (born 1956, age 68)		President (2001–2009, 2013–2021) Other offices: Vice President (1993–2001) Minister of Administration (1993–2001)	Koror	Together, we can make tomorrow Better	[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
				24 February 2024

For Vice President

Candidate		Experience	Home state	Campaign	Ref.
				Date announced
Uduch Sengebau Senior (born 1965, age 59)		Vice President (since 2021) Other offices: Minister of Justice (since 2021) Minister of Justice (2021) Senator (2013–2021)	Koror	Palau Family First	[12] [13] [14] [15]
				6 February 2024
Raynold Oilouch (born 1965, age 59)		Vice President (2017–2021) Other offices: Minister of Justice (2017–2021) Senator (2009–2017)	Ngchesar	Moving Forward Together	[16] [17] [18] [19]
				27 May 2024

Campaign

Campaigning was marred by diplomatic and economic issues. Tommy Remengesau Jr criticized growing security relations with the United States under Whipps' presidency, which the latter has supported as a "deterrent". Remengesau also pledged to revoke a 15% tax on goods introduced by Whipps.^[20]

Results

Preliminary results appeared to show Surangel Whipps Jr. leading in the presidential race,^[21] while Raynold Oilouch was leading as vice president.^[22] Whipps formally claimed victory on 11 November, while Remengesau conceded defeat earlier.^[23]

President

Candidate	Votes	%
Surangel Whipps Jr.	5,626	57.74
Thomas Remengesau Jr.	4,103	42.11
Write-in	15	0.15
Total	9,744	100.00
Valid votes	9,744	99.16
Invalid/blank votes	83	0.84
Total votes	9,827	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	16,916	58.09
Source: Palau Election Commission

Vice president

Candidate	Votes	%
Raynold Oilouch	6,726	70.25
Uduch Sengebau Senior	2,829	29.55
Write-in	20	0.21
Total	9,575	100.00
Valid votes	9,575	97.44
Invalid/blank votes	252	2.56
Total votes	9,827	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	16,916	58.09
Source: Palau Election Commission

Senate

Candidate	Votes	Notes
Steve Kuartei	5,224	Elected
Mason Ngirchechebangel Whipps	5,019	Elected
Andrew Tabelual	4,742	Elected
Mark U. Rudimch	4,621	Elected
Brian Melairei	4,088	Elected
Kazuki L. "Topps" Sungino	4,070	Elected
Siegfried Bai Nakamura	4,053	Elected
Secilil Eldebechel	4,048	Elected
Ann Latii Pedro	4,039	Elected
TJ Imrur Remengesau	4,003	Elected
Salvador Sadoi Tellames	3,929	Elected
Lentcer Basilius	3,884	Elected
Rukebai Inabo	3,787	Elected
Lee T. Otobed	3,704	Elected
Hokkons Baules	3,657	Elected[24]
Kerai Mariur	3,593
Joann Risong Tarkong	3,052
Umiich Sengebau	3,009
Ann Kloulechad Singeo	2,947
Blodak S. Quichocho	2,852
Vierra Joel Toribiong	2,784
Sandra Sumang Pierantozzi	2,558
Jeff Ngirarsaol	2,519
Dilmei L. Olkeriil	1,773
Moses Y. Uludong	1,665
Ismael Remoket	309
Write-in	695
Source: Palau Election Commission

House of Delegates

State	Candidate	Votes	Notes
Aimeliik	Warren S. Umetaro	271	Elected
	Write-in	4
Airai	Stephanie Ngirchoimei	299	Elected
	Ralph F. Kanai	129
	Johana Ngiruchelbad	129
	Williander Ngotel	85
	Reagan Sidoi	85
	Write-in	3
Angaur	Mario S. Gulibert	111	Elected
	Kennosuke A. Suzuky	61
	Write-in	2
Hatohobei	Sebastian R. Marino	36	Elected
	Write-in	24
Kayangel	Noah Kemesong	137	Elected
	Wayland Dulei Keizi	75
Koror	Mengkur W. Rechelulk	1,301	Elected
	Joseph "Joe" Aitaro	1,180
	Write-in	4
Melekeok	Silverius Ouch Tellei	216	Elected
	Frutoso "Toto" Tellei	138
	Write-in	1
Ngaraard	Gibson Kanai	280	Elected
	Wilbert Ngirakamerang	209
	Write-in	1
Ngarchelong	Timothy R. Sinsak	387	Elected
	Write-in	65
Ngardmau	Blesoch Aderkeroi	84	Elected
	Fermin R. Meriang	81
	Dodger Kumangai	71
	Write-in	1
Ngaremlengui	Portia Franz Kesolei	180	Elected
	Swenny Ongidobel	124
Ngatpang	Francesca Ruluked Otong	133	Elected
	John Techitong	105
Ngchesar	Rebecca Sebalt Ngirmechaet	137	Elected
	Sabino Anastacio	133
Ngiwal	Ellender Ngirameketii	140	Elected
	Masasinge Arurang	117
	Elmis Mesubed Bechab	50
	Eugene "Usin" Termeteet	40
Peleliu	Nace N. Soalablai	264	Elected
	Serelina Bota Ridep	133
	Write-in	2
Sonsorol	Yutaka Gibbons Jr.	118	Elected
	Write-in	4
Source: Palau Election Commission

Aftermath

Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te sent congratulations to Whipps and his vice president, Raynold Oilouch, upon their reelection and election respectively.^[22]