Ngiraiwet challenges second impeachment, seeks halt to Ngardmau special election

By: L. N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Oct. 26, 2026) — Former Ngardmau Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet is challenging the legality of her second impeachment, arguing that the Ngardmau Legislature failed to provide the notice and opportunity to be heard required by the courts, and asking that the Nov. 13 special gubernatorial election be stopped until the dispute is resolved. Ngiraiwet filed a complaint Oct. 19 against the 11th Kelulul Ngardmau, represented by Speaker Terrence Miozawa, and the Palau Election Commission, represented by Chairperson Bisayang Luii. She is asking the court to declare the legislature’s second impeachment resolution “unconstitutional and without legal effect. ” The complaint argues that the second impeachment did not comply with the Appellate Court’s decision in Ngiraiwet v.

Eleventh Kelulul Ngardmau (2026), which requires adequate notice of an impeachment or removal action and a meaningful opportunity for the governor to attend the session where the action is considered. The court’s earlier decision is central to Ngiraiwet’s challenge, which seeks to prevent the latest impeachment from proceeding without the constitutional protections the appellate court said must be followed. Ngiraiwet said she is not asking the court to determine whether the allegations against her are true or to question the constitutional authority of the Kelulul Ngardmau to impeach a governor. Instead, she said her complaint seeks to enforce the constitutional protections required by the Appellate Division. She maintains that the second impeachment resolution is unlawful because it was adopted without proper notice and an opportunity for her to be heard. The complaint contends that the legislature’s action failed to meet the requirements established in the appellate court’s decision,…