Overview:
Ngchesar State has spoken. In a historic first for the Republic of Palau, voters rejected a petition-driven effort to remove their House of Delegates representative, returning Delegate Rebecca Sebalt-Ngirmechaet to office with 54% of the vote. Read the full story on Palau's landmark recall election.
Ngchesar State rejects petition-driven ouster in a 123-104 decision, marking a constitutional milestone for the Republic of Palau
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Ngchesar State voters chose to retain their House of Delegates representative Thursday, defeating a recall effort against Delegate Rebecca Sebalt-Ngirmechaet in what marks the first congressional recall election held under the Palau Constitution.
Unofficial results show Sebalt-Ngirmechaet surviving the removal bid by a vote of 123 to 104, with 54% of Ngchesar voters casting ballots in her favor.
The Palau Election Commission scheduled the special election for June 11 after a group of Ngchesar citizens filed a successful recall petition in April bearing 125 signatures — the second such petition submitted — meeting the threshold required under Article IX, Section 17 of the Palau Constitution. That provision allows voters to recall a sitting member of Congress through a petition signed by at least 25% of those who voted in the most recent general election.
Ballots asked Ngchesar State voters a single question: whether to remove Sebalt-Ngirmechaet as their representative to the House of Delegates of the 12th Olbiil Era Kelulau, Palau’s national legislature. A majority chose to keep her.
The recall attempt had no modern precedent. Thursday’s vote represents the first time in Palau’s constitutional history that the recall mechanism has been used to challenge a sitting member of Congress through a popular election.
Sebalt-Ngirmechaet will continue serving as Ngchesar State’s delegate to the House of Delegates. Results remain unofficial pending certification by the Palau Election Commission.