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Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Delegates Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 2006 - LEADERSHIP President Hokkons Baules (M)  Notes Elected on 19 Jan. 2017. Secretary General Anne Pedro (F)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 13 / 13 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 2 (15.38%) Mode of designation directly elected 13 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 1 November 2016 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Senate Olbiil Era Kelulau P.O.Box 8 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 (Export mailing lists) Phone (680) 767 24 55 767 1452 767 25 22 Fax (680) 767 26 33 5466 E-mail senate@palaunet.com Website http://www.palauoek.com/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Delegates LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Mode of designation directly elected 13 Constituencies One nationwide constituency for 13 seats. Voting system Majority: Block Vote (Plurality-at-large voting) Each voter may choose as many candidates as the number of members to be elected (currently 13) on a single ballot paper. The 13 candidates who receive the most votes nationwide are 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 (data unavailable)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Olbiil Era Kelulau / National Congress Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Delegates 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 senators 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: 13 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 24 (18 men, 6 women) Percentage of women candidates: 25% 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. Hokkons Baules 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 11 2 15.38% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: National Congress (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 Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Delegates APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Senate Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution, "action of the Senate". Appointment - elected by all the Senators - after validations of mandates - after the Senators are sworn in Eligibility - the Temporary President moves the election of the President - the motion is immediately put to the vote Voting system NA (no information received) Procedures / results - the Temporary President, who is the youngest Senator presides over the Senate during the voting - the Temporary President announces the results without any delay STATUS Status - represents the Senate with the public authorities - in the absence of the President, the Vice-President 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 Senate - 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 Senate Special powers - is responsible for establishing the budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate Speaking and voting rights, other functions NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 30 January 2017
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