By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — Voters in Ngarchelong State will head to the polls Friday, June 26, for a primary election to determine which two candidates will advance to the general election for governor.
Three candidates are competing for the office: Kayama Shiro, Hadley F. Renguul and incumbent Gov. Dwight Ngiraibai — and local observers say it could be a close race.
Under Ngarchelong State Public Law No. 02-002, a primary is required whenever more than one candidate seeks the governorship. The law, enacted Dec. 17, 2001, under then-Gov. Tobias Aguon, is designed to ensure the eventual winner takes office with more than 50% of votes cast.
The top two vote-getters Friday will advance to the general election set for Aug. 25. That contest will also include races for seats in the Ngarchelong State Assembly.
The Candidates
Ngiraibai, is the only candidate with prior elected office experience. Before winning the governorship, he served multiple terms in the Ngarchelong Assembly.
Renguul and Shiro are both first-time candidates for public office. Renguul serves as president of Keiukl Seineng, a community-led initiative serving youth, elders and community members of Ngarchelong, and as a board member of Ebiil Society Inc. Shiro previously served as president of Ollei Ngeasek Cheldebechel, an active Ngarchelong youth group.
Observers say the race could be unusually competitive. Many Ngarchelong voters are related to at least two of the three candidates — and some to all three — a factor that could make predicting the outcome difficult.
All three candidates held back-to-back campaign rallies in Ngarchelong in the lead-up to Friday’s primary. Renguul also became the first candidate in the race to reach out to Ngarchelong voters living abroad, hosting a virtual campaign event June 13 at the Penthouse Conference Room in Guam, where supporters gathered to participate remotely.
As of the May 25 voter registration deadline for the primary, Ngarchelong had 1,166 registered voters. In the last state election in 2022, only 519 of the then-1,181 registered voters cast ballots. In that race, Ngiraibai defeated then-incumbent Gov. Richard Ngiratrang, receiving 62% of votes cast to Ngiratrang’s 36%.
Four years earlier, in the 2018 Ngarchelong State 10th General Election, 787 of 1,160 registered voters cast ballots. Ngiratrang won that race with 435 votes over then-incumbent Gov. Browny Salvador, who received 345 votes.
Voters not yet registered for the Aug. 25 general election have until July 10 to do so. Legislative candidates seeking a spot on the ballot must submit nominating petitions by July 27.