Palau Election Commission certified Eric Reklai the winner of the Imul Legislator seat in the 12th Aimeliik State Legislature, filling up the vacancy left by the untimely passing of the previous Legislator Jason Timulch.
Mr. Reklai, an educator and a new entrant to public office, won by 13 votes over contender Laiter Dolmers, a retired teacher with decades of experience in politics.
Imul hamlet, one of the five hamlets of Aimeliik State, has 218 registered voters, but only 28% or 63 cast their votes during this special election.
Aimeliik State Legislature consists of an elected representative from each of the five hamlets plus four elected At-large representatives. Each serves a four-year term, and in the event of a vacancy with 180 days remaining in the term, the state constitution calls fo a special election to fill the vacancy.
The next Aimeliik State General Election will be held in November of 2023.