Overview:
Ngarchelong voters have re-elected incumbent Gov. Dwight Ngiraibai to a second term while also approving major changes to the state constitution. The Aug. 25 election saw voters approve measures making the Palauan-language version controlling, giving voters the power to initiate amendments and authorizing a constitutional convention.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngarchelong, Palau (Aug. 27, 2026) — In a decisive state election held Tuesday, August 25, 2026, incumbent Dwight Ngiraibai secured a second term as Governor of Ngarchelong State, defeating challenger Hadley F. Renguul.
Election Results
Ngiraibai received 303 votes to Renguul’s 158, out of 467 total votes cast from 1,176 registered voters in the northern Babeldaob state. The turnout represented roughly 40 percent of the electorate.
State Assembly Races
Voters also filled seats in the eight-hamlet state assembly, with only Mengellakl and Ngebei hamlets featuring a contested race while the candidates for the remaining 6 hamlets were unopposed.
- Mengellakl: Imengel Mai with 61 votes over Yohei Merur with 41 votes.
- Ollei: Abraham Osima received 94 votes.
- Ngermetong: Brynn of Demei won with 36 votes.
- Ngerbau: Alex Siliang earned 50 votes.
- Iebukel: Ngirablau Sambal received 35 votes.
- Ngebei: Write-in candidate Daniel Aguon tallied 25 votes over Nadene Oiterong’s 13 votes.
- Ngeungel: Tchuzie Tadao received 10 votes.
- Ngriil: Dwight Ngirchemat won with 41 votes.
Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot
Alongside the general election, Ngarchelong voters considered seven proposed constitutional amendments and a separate proposition on whether to convene a constitutional convention.
A five-member political education committee, chaired by Gorkas Basilius, led a public education campaign to inform residents about the measures ahead of the vote. The panel includes two members appointed by the governor and three by the state assembly.
The proposed amendments put forth by the State Assembly were:
- Article VII, Section 5(b): Reduce the voting threshold required to pass legislation from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority of the quorum present and voting.
- Article XIV, Section 1: Establish the Palauan-language version of the constitution as the controlling text in cases where it conflicts with the English version.
- Article VII, Section 3(b): Authorize the speaker of the assembly to call special sessions.
- Article VII, Section 2(b): Require assembly members to be registered voters in the hamlet they represent.
- Article VII, Section 6(b): Allow compromise legislation agreed upon by the governor and the assembly to become law.
- Article VIII, Section 2: Establish term limits for the governor and require the office to be filled by a majority of votes cast.
- Article XV, Section 1(a): Grant voters the power to initiate amendments to the Ngarchelong Constitution.
- Constitutional Convention Proposition: Ask voters whether the state should hold a constitutional convention.
Results of the Votes
A majority of Ngarchelong voters approved amendments 2, 7, and 8—establishing Palauan as the controlling constitutional language, granting voters the power to initiate amendments, and authorizing a constitutional convention.
The remaining measures—1, 3, 4, 5, and 6—were rejected by a majority of state voters, preserving the two-thirds legislative threshold, keeping special session authority unchanged, maintaining current candidate residency rules, and declining to impose gubernatorial term limits or alter the lawmaking process for joint proposals.