2016 Palauan general election

The President and Vice President were elected using the two-round system. The 16 members of the House of Delegates were elected in single-member constituencies based on the states using first-past-the-post voting. The 13 members of the Senate were elected from a single nationwide constituency by block voting, with each voter having 13 votes to cast. The number of senators elected to the Palau National Congress was planned to be reduced to 11 from the previous 13 for the 2016 general election, but this decision was reversed. ==Presidential candidates==

Four candidates had declared their intention to seek the presidency in 2016, including Remengesau, who was seeking re-election. • Antonio Bells, Vice President of Palau (2013–2017) • Sandra Pierantozzi, Vice President of Palau (2001–2005), Minister of Health (2001–2004), Minister of State (2009–2010) • Tommy Remengesau, President of Palau (2001–2009, 2013–Present), Vice President of Palau (1993–2001) • Surangel Whipps Jr., Senator ==Campaign==

The deadline to file nominating petitions for a presidential run was 3 August. President Tommy Remengesau declared his candidacy for re-election on 1 March at a campaign kick-off held at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center. Senator Surangel Whipps Jr., who began campaigning for president in 2015 and announced his candidacy earlier in the year, became the first candidate to file his candidacy with the Palau Elections Commission Office on 20 July 2016. Sandra Pierantozzi, the former vice president under Remengesau, was the only woman to enter the race. ==Results==

President The presidential primaries were held on 27 September, with Remengesau and Whipps Jr. finishing as the top two to advance to the general election on 1 November. Early results released on 2 November initially showed Whipps leading with 1,832 votes, with incumbent President Remengesau trailing with 1,667 votes. However, by 4 November, Remengesau had regained a slim lead with 4,108 votes, while Whipps trailed by just 78 votes, or 4,030 votes. The election was decided by the absentee ballots, Vice President Senate House of Delegates ==References==