Overview:
**Ngardmau special election set for Sept. 18**
Ngardmau will hold a special election for governor on Sept. 18, with nominating petitions due Sept. 3. The election comes as the Palau Supreme Court prepares to hear former Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet’s legal challenge to her impeachment and removal from office on Aug. 24. If the court upholds her removal, Ngiraiwet is expected to seek the governor’s seat again.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngardmau, Palau (August 17, 2026) – The Palau Election Commission (PEC) announced Monday that Ngardmau State will hold a special election for governor on September 18 with nominating petitions due by September 3.
The announcement comes as the Supreme Court of Palau has set an expedited trial date of next week August 24 for the legal challenge filed by former Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet against her impeachment and removal from office.
In a nine-page order issued last week in Civil Action No. 26-117, Associate Justice Peter N. denied Ngiraiwet’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have immediately reinstated her as governor pending trial.
The court stressed that the denial does not decide the merits of whether Ngiraiwet’s impeachment was lawful, only that she did not meet the high legal standard required for emergency injunctive relief.
Under the expedited litigation schedule established by the court, defendants were required to file their answer by August 6, followed by dispositive motions due August 12. Responses were due August 17, with replies set for August 19, and trial scheduled for August 24 in Courtroom 103 of the Koror Judiciary Building.
With today being August 18, the response deadline, filings from both sides leading up to trial are now in the final stages before the Aug. 24 hearing.
If the court ultimately upholds Ngardmau’s removal of Ngiraiwet, the Ngardmau State Constitution requires a special election to fill the governor’s vacancy within 60 days.
According to credible sources, former Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet intends to run again for governor if the court upholds the impeachment and the special election proceeds.
The move would set up a direct electoral test of the legislature’s action, pitting Ngiraiwet against any other candidates who file petitions by the September 3 deadline.
