Overview:
Former Ngardmau Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet is asking the court to invalidate her second impeachment and halt the Nov. 13 special gubernatorial election, arguing that lawmakers failed to provide proper notice and an opportunity for her to be heard.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Oct. 26, 2026) — Former Ngardmau Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet is challenging the legality of her second impeachment, arguing that the Ngardmau Legislature failed to provide the notice and opportunity to be heard required by the courts, and asking that the Nov. 13 special gubernatorial election be stopped until the dispute is resolved.
Ngiraiwet filed a complaint Oct. 19 against the 11th Kelulul Ngardmau, represented by Speaker Terrence Miozawa, and the Palau Election Commission, represented by Chairperson Bisayang Luii.
She is asking the court to declare the legislature’s second impeachment resolution “unconstitutional and without legal effect.”
The complaint argues that the second impeachment did not comply with the Appellate Court’s decision in Ngiraiwet v. Eleventh Kelulul Ngardmau (2026), which requires adequate notice of an impeachment or removal action and a meaningful opportunity for the governor to attend the session where the action is considered.
The court’s earlier decision is central to Ngiraiwet’s challenge, which seeks to prevent the latest impeachment from proceeding without the constitutional protections the appellate court said must be followed.
Ngiraiwet said she is not asking the court to determine whether the allegations against her are true or to question the constitutional authority of the Kelulul Ngardmau to impeach a governor.
Instead, she said her complaint seeks to enforce the constitutional protections required by the Appellate Division.
She maintains that the second impeachment resolution is unlawful because it was adopted without proper notice and an opportunity for her to be heard.
The complaint contends that the legislature’s action failed to meet the requirements established in the appellate court’s decision, making the second impeachment legally invalid.
Ngiraiwet also asked the court to prevent the Palau Election Commission from conducting the special gubernatorial election scheduled for Nov. 13 while the court considers the legality of the second impeachment resolution.
Her request seeks to halt the election until the court issues a ruling on the impeachment challenge.
The dispute follows a prolonged series of legal and political developments surrounding the 11th Ngardmau government’s effort to impeach Ngiraiwet.
Meanwhile, a separate petition was submitted to the Palau Election Commission on Oct. 19 seeking the recall of Speaker Miozawa and Floor Leader Neil Fisher.
The petition adds another development to the continuing dispute over Ngardmau’s government and leadership.