At stake in this Referendum:

• A referendum to determine if Palau will establishing a casino gaming commission.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Johnson TORIBIONG
• Head of Government: President Johnson TORIBIONG
• Assembly: Palau has a bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau) consisting of the Senate with 9 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.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Do you approve of the establishment of casino gaming in the Republic of Palau? A referendum to determine if Palau will establishing a casino gaming commission. If the referendum passes, the National Congress must pass legislation establishing a casino gaming commission. If the referendum is rejected, they cannot take up the issue again.

Electoral Requirements

• A majority of voters must approve the referendum. There is no minimum threshold of voters needed to turnout.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 20,606 (2011)
• Registered Voters: 14,163 (June 2011)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: N/A

·         Is Palau a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (20 September 2011)

·         Has Palau ratified CEDAW: No

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 0

·         Human Development Index Position: 60 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is Palau a signatory to CRPD: Yes (20 September 2011)

·         Has Palau ratified CRPD: Yes (11 June 2013)

·         Population with a disability: 3,090 (est.)