(Koror, Palau) The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs is holding an oversight hearing today to discuss matters concerning the Election Commission as the November general elections approach.
In a letter from Committee Chair Seciliil Elbedechel to the Election Commission Board Chairperson, the chair stated that the hearing will address topics such as the commission’s budget, the elimination of central polling places, ballot distribution management, and election policy rules.
The committee requested at least two hours to discuss these various issues with the commission.
In 2023, the Palau Election Commission implemented a new policy that no longer accepts bulk mail containing more than one absentee ballot. This change means the practice of collecting ballots after people vote and sending them as bulk mail to the commission is no longer allowed. This practice had been widely used for votes from Palauans living abroad. The commission amended its regulations to prohibit this practice.