Overview:
Ngiwal voters have elected seven legislators to the state’s 22nd Legislature, while neighboring Ngarchelong has launched a public education campaign on constitutional amendments and a proposed constitutional convention ahead of its Aug. 25 election.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau (July 16, 2026) — Voters in Ngiwal and Ngarchelong are carrying out key civic responsibilities this month, with Ngiwal electing members of its 22nd Legislature while Ngarchelong prepares residents to vote on a series of constitutional amendments ahead of its August state election.
Ngiwal elects seven legislators
Residents of Ngiwal went to the polls Tuesday, July 14, to elect seven members to the state’s 22nd Legislature.
According to the Palau Election Commission, Ngiwal law requires absentee, confined and walk-in ballots to be counted together with votes cast on election day. The process eliminates the seven-day waiting period for absentee ballots that is common in many other state elections.
The seven successful candidates elected to the legislature are:
- Russel Masayos
- Bernard Ngiraibai
- Marina I. Udui
- Bolton “Bant” Tengoll
- Clarence Masayos
- Ilabsis Ngirakesau
- Loraine Kloulubak
Candidates Manasseh Temol, Elmis M. Bechab and Emilia Katosang were not elected.
Legislator Loraine Kloulubak said Kelulul a Kiueluul, Ngiwal’s state legislature, consists of 17 members — seven elected legislators and 10 traditional chiefs.
Ngarchelong prepares voters for constitutional vote
Meanwhile, in northern Babeldaob, Ngarchelong is conducting a public education campaign on seven proposed constitutional amendments and a separate proposition asking voters whether the state should convene a constitutional convention.
The voter education effort is being led by a five-member political education committee established to inform residents ahead of Ngarchelong’s state general election scheduled for Aug. 25.
Committee Chairman Gorkas Basilius said the panel consists of two members appointed by the governor and three appointed by the state assembly.
The measures that voters will consider include:
- Article VII, Section 5(b): Reduce the voting threshold required to pass legislation from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority of the quorum present and voting.
- Article XIV, Section 1: Establish the Palauan-language version of the constitution as the controlling text in cases where it conflicts with the English version.
- Article VII, Section 3(b): Authorize the speaker of the assembly to call special sessions.
- Article VII, Section 2(b): Require assembly members to be registered voters in the hamlet they represent.
- Article VII, Section 6(b): Allow compromise legislation agreed upon by the governor and the assembly to become law.
- Article VIII, Section 2: Establish term limits for the governor and require the office to be filled by a majority of votes cast.
- Article XV, Section 1(a): Grant voters the power to initiate amendments to the Ngarchelong Constitution.
- Constitutional convention proposition: Ask voters whether the state should hold a constitutional convention.
Basilius said the proposed amendments were drafted by members of the state assembly in response to requests from community residents.
He said the committee has been conducting radio talk shows on several stations and plans to hold town hall meetings in both Ngarchelong and Koror in the coming weeks to provide voters with additional information on the proposals before the election.
