Chamber:
	House of Delegates
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	5 November 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in the House of Delegates in the first such poll since Palau gained independence in October 1994. General elections had previously been held in November 1992.
Background and outcome of elections:
	The 1996 congressional elections were the first since Palau - the last remaining component of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (a United Nations Trusteeship administered by the USA) - achieved independence in October 1994 under the Compact of Free Association. Polling also took place for President of the Republic on 3 November. For the 14 Senate seats, there were 36 candidates in the three electoral districts while 35 candidates vied for the 16 House of Delegates in a like number of constituencies, which correspond to Palau's states. Voter turnout on polling day reached 79%. Final congressional results were announced on 20 November by the Election Commission. In the presidential race, the incumbent, Mr. Kuniwo Nakamura, triumphed over Mr. Yutaka Gibbons; the Vice-President, and head of the Cabinet, is Mr. Tommy Remengesau, Jr.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (5 November 1996): Elections results
Number of registered electors	12,897
Voters	10,223 (79,26%)

Comments:
	There are no parties in Palau

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	16
Women:	0

Distribution of seats according to age:
31-40 years	3
41-50 years	13