Election Commission Certifies Results Despite Two Missing Signatures

By: Eustoria Marie Borja

(Koror, Palau – June 16, 2025) The Palau Election Commission has officially certified the results of the June 10, 2025 Sonsorol State Constitutional Amendment Referendum, with voters approving the majority of the 23 proposed amendments.

Certification was completed on June 13 and signed by Chairperson Bisayang Luii, Vice Chair Leslie Tewid, and Board Member Fuana Temarsel. However, the document lacked the signatures of Board Secretary Aholiba Albert and Board Member Benjamin Yobech. Despite the two missing signatures, the certification proceeded under the authority of 23 PNCA, which governs national election protocols.

Of the 281 registered voters in Sonsorol State, 151 cast their ballots, reflecting a voter turnout of approximately 53.7 percent.

The referendum proposed amendments spanning several key areas of governance, including executive and legislative powers, financial management, territorial and fundamental rights, and provisions for municipal governance and transitional clauses.

Certified Results Summary:

Passed Amendments (Majority “Yes” Votes):

1. Amendment #1 (Article I – Territory, Section 3): 96 Yes, 54 No, 1 Blank
2. Amendment #2 (Article VII – Executive Branch, Section 2): 107 Yes, 40 No, 4 Blank
3. Amendment #3 (Executive Branch, Section 10): 92 Yes, 55 No, 2 Blank, 2 Void
4. Amendment #4 (Executive Branch, Section 11): 96 Yes, 53 No, 2 Blank
5. Amendment #5 (Executive Branch, New Section 11): 120 Yes, 30 No, 1 Blank
6. Amendment #6 (Fundamental Rights, Section 1): 95 Yes, 53 No, 3 Blank
7. Amendment #7 (Fundamental Rights, Section 2): 91 Yes, 57 No, 3 Blank
8. Amendment #8 (General Provisions, Section 5): 90 Yes, 58 No, 3 Blank
9. Amendment #9 (Amendments, Section 2): 93 Yes, 55 No, 3 Blank
10. Amendment #10 (State Government Responsibilities, Section 2): 95 Yes, 53 No, 3 Blank
11. Amendment #11 (Supremacy, Section 3): 98 Yes, 52 No, 1 Blank
12. Amendment #12 (Finance, Section 1): 99 Yes, 50 No, 2 Blank
13. Amendment #13 (Finance, Section 3): 98 Yes, 52 No, 1 Blank
14. Amendment #14 (Finance, Section 4): 92 Yes, 56 No, 3 Blank
15. Amendment #15 (Finance, Section 5): 97 Yes, 51 No, 3 Blank
16. Amendment #16 (Finance, Section 7): 92 Yes, 52 No, 5 Blank
17. Amendment #17 (Finance, Section 9): 97 Yes, 52 No, 2 Blank
18. Amendment #18 (Finance, Section 10): 97 Yes, 53 No, 1 Blank
19. Amendment #19 (Finance, Section 11): 96 Yes, 54 No, 1 Blank
20. Amendment #20 (Finance, Section 12): 94 Yes, 55 No, 2 Blank
21. Amendment #21 (Legislative Branch, Section 7): 102 Yes, 48 No, 1 Blank
22. Amendment #22 (Legislative Branch, Section 17): 115 Yes, 33 No, 2 Blank, 1 Void

Failed Amendment (Did Not Reach Majority Yes):

Amendment #23 – A wide-ranging amendment proposing changes to multiple articles, including the Council of Chiefs, Legislative Branch, Municipal Governments, and Transitional provisions, received 89 votes in favor and 60 against, with 2 blanks. Although it achieved a simple majority, the amendment failed to receive the two-thirds (2/3) majority required for ratification. With only one amendment falling short of majority approval, the referendum marks a significant update to the Sonsorol State Constitution.