Overview:
Incumbent Governor Norman Ngiratecheboet has secured another term leading Airai State after final ballots confirmed a 202-vote victory in the 10th Airai general election. The last count of absentee, confined and walk-in votes widened his lead over challenger Collins Takeo while leaving all delegate races unchanged.
Final vote count widens margin to 202 as delegate and at-large results hold steady
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
AIRAI, Palau (March 9, 2026)— Incumbent Governor Norman Ngiratecheboet secured a decisive victory in the 10th Airai state general election, defeating challenger Collins Takeo by 202 votes after final tabulation of absentee, confined, and walk-in ballots last night.
The Palau Election Commission reported that the additional 143 confine, walk-in and absentee votes split 97 for Ngiratecheboet and 44 for Takeo, lifting Ngiratecheboet’s total to 567 against Takeo’s 365.
These final ballots also did not shift outcomes of the at-large or hamlet delegate’s race. Three hamlets—Oikull, Ngerusar, and Ngeruluobel had multiple candidates, while Ngchesechang, Ngetkib, and Ordomel saw unopposed victors. Final counts adjusted tallies but preserved all initial winners from last week’s general election. The winners are:
Governor – Norman Ngiratecheboet
Hamlet Delegates:
- Ngetkib: Bausoch Giramur
- Ngerusar: Kimberly Elarionoff
- Ngeruluobel: Harrison Sangiei Tell
- Ordomel: C. Torual Gibbons
- Ngchesechang: Lalie Lals Ikluk
- Oikull: Richard R. Rechirei
At-Large candidates:
- LeoBen Teriong
- Ralph Kanai
- Helena Rois Yoichi Arurang
- O’Dear C. Yobech
- Sano Sakurai
- Reagan Sidoi
- Kiruu Ngirmekur Kanai
- McMichael Mutok Jr.
- Sherman Daniel
While these recent votes made Ralph Kanai over take LeoBen Teriong as the top vote-getter for at-large, it did not change the lineup of the 9 at-large winners or the hamlet winners. All candidates’ ranking remained despite the additional votes.
These results now Palau Election Commission board to certification before becoming official.