Ngardmau State Primary Election: (original) (raw)

Ngiraiwet and Kumangai Advance to General Election

By Eustoria Marie Borja

Ngardmau, Palau — Jennifer Ngiraiwet and Bradley O. Kumangai have emerged as the top candidates in Ngardmau State’s 2nd Gubernatorial Primary Election held on September 24, 2024. Ngiraiwet received 94 votes, while Kumangai followed closely with 84 votes, according to unofficial results from the Palau Election Commission.

Kumangai, a former Speaker of the Ngardmau State Legislature, is well-known in local politics. He was the leading vote-getter in the December 2020 General Election. Ngiraiwet, currently serving as the PAN Coordinator for the Ongedechuul System of Conservation Areas (OSCA), brings her background in conservation leadership into the political arena.

The primary election recorded low voter turnout, with only 239 out of 425 registered voters participating, resulting in a turnout rate of just over 56%. Kinziro Kloulubak, the third candidate, received 58 votes, while write-in candidates Norman Aderkeroi and Terence Miozawa garnered a total of 2 votes.

As the 11th Ngardmau State General Election approaches on December 3, 2024, Ngiraiwet and Kumangai will compete for the governorship. The low voter turnout trend in Palau’s gubernatorial primary elections raises concerns about political engagement and voter apathy.

With the general election nearing, both candidates must focus on energizing the electorate to secure the governorship.