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Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Delegates Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 2006 - LEADERSHIP President Sabino Anastacio (M)  Notes Elected on 17 Jan. 2013, re-elected on 19 Jan. 2017. Secretary General Marcello Ngirkelau (M)  Notes Appointed on 11 Dec. 2014, re-appointed on 27 April 2017. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 16 / 16 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 2 (12.50%) Mode of designation directly elected 16 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 1 November 2016 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Chambre des Délégués Olbiil Era Kelulau P.O.Box 8 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 (Export mailing lists) Phone (680) 767 25 07 767 25 46 767 25 26 767 12 91 Fax (680) 767 27 87 E-mail oek-speaker@palaunet.com Website http://www.palauoek.com/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Delegates Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Mode of designation directly elected 16 Constituencies - 16 single-member constituencies corresponding to the country's states Voting system Majority: Majority system Single-Member Plurality Systems ("first past the post") The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the constituency concerned is declared elected. By-elections are held to fill vacancies which arise between general elections unless fewer than 180 days remain in the parliamentary term. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Palau citizenship - minimum period of residence in country - disqualifications: imprisonment, insanity, persons serving sentence for a felony CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 25 years - Palau citizenship - residence in country for at least five years immediately preceding the elections - residence in district where running for at least one year immediately preceding the elections Incompatibilities (data unavailable) Candidacy requirements - a petition of declaration to run in an election for a delegate seat must be filed with the National Election Office prior to election - twenty-five signatures from eligible voters of one's state must be secured before candidacy is certified

Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Delegates Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 1 November 2016 Timing and scope of renewal The elections returned 13 incumbents to the 16-member House of Delegates and 8 to the 13-member Senate (see note). Two women were elected to the House of Delegates, for the first time since 1981 (prior to the country's independence in 1994). Two of the three outgoing women senators were re-elected. 25-year-old Aric Nakamura, the son of former President Kuniwo Nakamura, became the youngest person to be elected to the Senate. With no political parties in Palau, there was no nation-wide election campaigning. Presidential candidates focused on the economy and measures to boost tourism. President Tommy Remengesau defeated his brother-in-law, Senator Surangel Whipps Jr., to win a fourth term. Note on the number of senators: The Reapportionment Commission publishes every eight years a redistricting plan for the Senate, which becomes law upon publication. On 27 June 2016, the Reapportionment Commission published its Reapportionment Plan, stating that there would be 13 senators and one senatorial district, i.e., the same as the outgoing Senate. A group of citizens petitioned the Supreme Court to review the Commission's decision, on the grounds that the population decreased by around 12% since 2005. On 1 September, the Court ruled that the number of senators should be reduced from 13 to 11, to be elected from one district. However, on 17 October, the Supreme Court reversed its judgment on appeal and upheld the decision of the Reapportionment Commission. Consequently, the new legislature contains 13 senators, as before. Date of previous elections: 6 November 2012 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 19 January* *On the day when newly elected members are sworn in. Timing of election: Upon normal expiry Expected date of next elections: 3 November 2020* *The 1st Tuesday of November Number of seats at stake: 16 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 33 (27 men, 6 women) Percentage of women candidates: 18.2% Number of parties contesting the election: N/A (There are no political parties) Number of parties winning seats: N/A Alternation of power: No Number of parties in government: N/A Names of parties in government: N/A Date of the first session of the new parliament: 19 January* *The 3rd Thursday of January Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Sabino Anastacio STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 1 November 2016 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 15'890 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 14 2 12.50% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: House of Delegates (21.11.2016) https://palauelection.org/total-registered-voters/ https://palauelection.org/ http://www.pireport.org/ http://www.pacificnote.com/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Delegates Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the House of Delegates Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution Appointment - elected by all the Members of the House - after validation of mandates - after Members are sworn in Eligibility - the Temporary Speaker moves the election of the Speaker - the motion is immediately put to the vote Voting system NA (no information received) Procedures / results - the Temporary Speaker who is the youngest Member presides over the House during the voting - the Temporary Speaker announces the results without any delay STATUS Status - represents the House with the public authorities - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions Board Material facilities NA (no information received) FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, in exceptional case only - refers texts to a committee for study Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the House - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House Special powers - is responsible for establishing the budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - appoints the Presidents of the various committees of the House - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House Speaking and voting rights, other functions NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 2 June 2017
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