Overview:
Incumbent Gov. Sharp Sakuma has secured re-election in Ngaraard’s 12th General Election as a write-in candidate, according to the final tally of absentee, confined and walk-in ballots that confirmed the full lineup of incoming state leaders.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngaraard, Palau (November 20, 2025) — Incumbent Gov. Sharp Sakuma retained his seat in Ngaraard State’s 12th General Election as a write-in candidate, according to unofficial results released after absentee, confined and walk-in ballots were tabulated on Tuesday.
The final set of 26 absentee ballots — seven from Choll, five from Elab, six from Ngebuked, three from Ulimang and five from Ngkeklau — confirmed Sakuma’s lead. Of those votes, Sakuma received 11, while challengers Ben Iskawa earned four, Keizy Shiro two and Hefflin Bai three.
With the additional ballots counted, Sakuma finished with 217 votes, followed by Iskawa with 199, Shiro with 35 and Bai with 33.
Absentee and walk-in votes confirm incumbent’s narrow victory and finalize state assembly lineup.
In the Ngaraard State Assembly races, Saburo Remoket won the Choll County seat with 60 votes, defeating James Miwata Elidchedong, who received 34. In Ulimang County, Ngitong Osubedereng secured 67 votes to beat Francis Elkang with 34.
Candidates in the remaining hamlets ran unopposed:
- Elab: Harvey Ngirairikl, 58 votes
- Ngebuked: George Matsuda, 99 votes
- Ngkeklau: Leon Debengek, 33 votes
For the four At-large seats, voters chose the top vote-getters: Gibson Kanai Jr. (Shiro), John R. Temengil, Duane Tochi and Marcy Andrew.
With absentee, confined and walk-in ballots added to the 483 votes cast on election day, Ngaraard recorded 509 ballots out of 1,252 registered voters — a turnout of about 40%.
The results will be forwarded to the Palau Election Commission for official certification, but the tabulated totals indicate the leaders expected to assume office in the next Ngaraard administration.