IFES Election Guide - Election Profile for Palau

Election Profile:

Overview

Results

Of Interest/Links

Sources

Country: Palau
Official Name: Republic of Palau
Election Type: Presidential
Date: November 4, 2008

Source for election date

At stake in this election:

The office of President of Palau

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr
Head of Government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr
Assembly: Palau has a bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau) consisting of the Senate with 13 seats and the House of Delegates with 16 seats.

Description of electoral system:

The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 4-year term.
In the Senate 13 members are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms*. In the House of Delegates 16 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms.

* Every voter may choose as many candidates as there are seats. All candidates compete in one, at-large district and the candidates who receive the most votes are elected. This is also known as a Block voting system. This was the first election where this system was used. It was also the first election where the seat total was raised from 9 to 13.