Governor of Peleliu

The governor of Peleliu is the head of government of Peleliu. The position was established in 1983 and a new governor is sworn in on January 1 unless they resign during their term.^[1][2] It is the only state in Palau to have elections every three years instead of every two or four years.^[3]

Governor of Peleliu
Incumbent Emais Roberts since January 1, 2022
Term length	Three years
Inaugural holder	Yukio Shmull
Formation	1983
Website	https://www.palaugov.pw/states/peliliu/

Regulations

Article VII of the Peleliu constitution states that to be eligible for governor a person "must be a citizen of Palau and a person of Peleliu".^[4] They must also be at least 35 years old, must not have been convicted of a felony at the time of an election, unless pardoned, and can not be employed by the state government, national government or serve in the Palau National Congress concurrently whilst governor.^[4]

Furthermore, it states that the governor shall be elected in a state-wide election for a term of 3 years and that a person can not serve as governor for more than 3 consecutive terms.^[4] Additionally, the governor must reside in the state during their term.^[4] The governor may be impeached and removed from office for treason, bribery or other serious crimes by a vote of no less than two-thirds of the members of the state legislature.^[4] If the office becomes vacant and there is more than 180 days remaining in the unexpired term, the speaker of the house becomes governor and must call a special election within 30 days to fill the vacancy.^[4]

List of governors

No.	Picture	Name	Term of office
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Yukio Shmull (died 2018)[1]	January 1, 1983[1]	January 1, 1986[1]	3 years, 0 days
2		Timarong Sisior	January 1, 1986[1]	January 1, 1992[5]	6 years, 0 days
3		Hinao Soalablai	January 1, 1992[6]	January 1, 1995[7]	3 years, 0 days
4		Jackson Ngiraingas	January 1, 1995[7]	January 1, 2001[7]	6 years, 0 days
5		Timarong Sisior	January 1, 2001[8]	January 1, 2004[8]	3 years, 0 days
6		Jackson Ngiraingas	January 1, 2004[9]	February 14, 2009[10]	5 years, 44 days
-		Kalbesang Soalablai (acting)	February 14, 2009[11]	March 17, 2009[11]	31 days
7		Kangichi Uchau	March 17, 2009[12]	January 1, 2013[13]	3 years, 290 days
8		Temmy Shmull	January 1, 2013[13]	January 1, 2022[2]	9 years, 0 days
7		Emais Roberts	January 1, 2022[2]	Incumbent	2 years, 295 days

See also

• List of current state governors in Palau

Notes

^A This is most likely an error as according to sources, he was governor for just over 11 years.^[6][8]

References

1. Times, Island (June 22, 2018). "Peleliu's first governor dies at 78". Island Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023. The late Uchelsias Yukio Shmull served as the first governor of Peleliu State from 1983 to 1985.
2. "State governments organized, Hideo as Ngchesar governor, Ngirakamerang, Ngaraard Speaker". Island Times. January 7, 2022. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
3. "State/National Election Schedule". palauelection.org. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
4. "Peleliu State Constitution". Pacific Digital Library. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
5. "In re Tabkusik, 18 ROP 16 (Land Ct. 2010)" (PDF). www.palausupremecourt.net. December 29, 2010. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024. PSPLA claimed the rock islands of Peleliu through a claim filed by former Governor Timarong Sisior on December 21, 1988.
6. Branigin, William (October 7, 1994). "From WWII Battleground to Peacetime Pot Producer". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024. Hinao Soalablai, the governor of Peleliu, disputes that view.
7. "Peleliu to elect Governor and Legislatures today". Marianas Variety. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024. Uchau was the successor of Jackson Ngiraingas who was the Governor of Peleliu for 12 years...^[A]
8. "Elections Begin in Palau's Peleliu State". Pacific Islands Report. December 9, 2003. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2024. Incumbent Gov. Timarong Sisior decided not to seek reelection.
9. Abrau, Agnes M. (December 10, 2003). "Ngiraingas Wins Peleliu Governor's Race". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2024. The new officials will be sworn in on Jan. 1, 2004.
10. Villahermosa, Cherrie Anne E. (December 2, 2009). "Peleliu Voters to Elect New Governor". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2023. Ngiraingas was sworn-in as Minister on February 14.
11. "Peleliu Club of Guam Lease Application Packet Table of Contents" (PDF). guamlegislature.com. March 27, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
12. Haruo, Philip N. (March 23, 2009). "Peleliu State, Palau Has New Governor". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2023. The Palau Election Commission Board on March 17 certified and declared Kangichi Uchau to the Office of the Governor of Peleliu State.
13. Times, Island (December 14, 2018). "Shmull secures Peleliu gubernatorial seat for third time". Island Times. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2021.