FSM Election 2019 Certified Results

News Release from FSM Government, March 9, 2019 (FSM time zone)

PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On March 5th, 2019 the citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) voted for their elected representatives in the Congress of the FSM. Comprised of fourteen senators elected to either a four-year (At-Large) or two-year term, the unicameral (one house) Body, also known as the Legislative Branch, is primarily responsible for enacting the Nation’s laws. On March 8th, 2019 the FSM National Election Office published the certified results of the FSM 2019 national election.

Per FSM law, national elections use the “First Past the Post” rules, i.e. whoever has the most votes wins. The President and Vice President are elected by the Congress from among the four At-Large senators. Vacant seats as a result of Presidential and Vice Presidential elections are then reopened for a Special Election.

The 2019 Election Results data to follow is certified from the FSM National Election Office, presented to the FSM Office of the President on March 8th, 2019.

Kosrae State has two senators in the Congress. For the four-year At-Large seat, Vice President and the Honorable Yosiwo P. George received 1,824 votes while challenger Aren B. Palik received 1,814 votes.

For the two-year seat, the incumbent and Honorable Paliknoa K. Welly received 2,130 votes while challenger Johnson A. Asher received 1,491 votes.

Pohnpei State has four senators in the Congress. For the four-year At-Large seat, His Excellency, President Peter M. Christian, received 6,716 votes while the incumbent and Honorable David W. Panuelo received 6,775 votes.

For Pohnpei Election District One, representing Kolonia, Sokehs, Sapwuahfik, Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi, the incumbent and Honorable Ferny Perman received 2,396 votes while challenger Dr. Merlynn Abello-Alfonso received 2,136 votes.

For Pohnpei Election District Two, representing Madolenihmw and Kitti—which had four candidates—the incumbent and Honorable Dion G. Neth received 2,054 votes, while challengers Berney Martin, Herman Semes Jr., and Quincy Lawrence received 1,082 votes, 984 votes, and 942 votes respectively.

For Pohnpei Election District Three, representing Nett, U, Mwoakilloa, and Pingelap, the incumbent and Honorable Esmond B. Moses received 2,543 votes while challenger Marstella Jack received 1,155 votes.

Chuuk State has six senators in the Congress. For the four-year At-Large seat, the incumbent and Honorable Wesley W. Simina received 15,941 votes while challenger Eriano E. Eram received 3,356 votes.

For Chuuk Election District One, representing the Mortlock Islands, the incumbent and Honorable Florencio S. Harper ran unopposed; he received 2,727 votes.

For Chuuk Election District Two, representing Weno, the incumbent and Honorable Victor Gouland ran unopposed; he received 1,787 votes.

For Chuuk Election District Three, representing Tonoas, Uman, Fefan, Parem, and Tsis, the incumbent and Honorable Derensio S. Konman received 4,599 votes while challenger Eflove F. Mailos received 2,256 votes.

For Chuuk Election District Four, representing Tol, Fanapanges, Eot, Patta, Polle Romalum, Udot, and Wonei, the incumbent and Honorable Tiwiter Aritos received 4,938 votes while challengers Smith K. Paulus and Manuel Rawit received 245 and 555 votes respectively.

For Chuuk Election District Five, representing the Halls & Western Islands, and Namonuito—which had five candidates running—the incumbent and Honorable Robson U. Romolow received 1,083 votes, while challengers Arisao Aichem, Joseph Konnor Jr., Dr. Vidalino J. Raatior, and Zander Refilong received 353, 182, 684, and 461 votes respectively.

Yap State has two senators in the FSM Congress. For the At-Large seat, the incumbent and Honorable Joseph. J Urusemal ran unopposed; he received 2,371 votes. For the two-year seat, the incumbent and Honorable Isaac V. Figir received 2,225 votes while challenger Fidelis Thiyer-Fanoway received 244 votes.

In addition to the voting of the Nation’s elected representatives, all voters were asked to voice their opinion on whether or not the FSM should hold a Constitutional Convention. Per FSM law, every ten years this referendum reappears and 75% of the population in 75% of the FSM states must consent for such a convention to occur.

In Kosrae State, 1,476 voters said yes to a Constitutional Convention and 480 voters said no; in Pohnpei State 5,948 voters said yes to a Constitutional Convention and 2,790 voters said no; in Chuuk State 1,283 voters said yes to a Constitutional Convention and 1,656 voters said no; and in Yap State, 1,064 voters said yes to a Constitutional Convention and 1,262 voters said no.

The FSM National Government is committed to democracy and democratic processes, including a transparent, open, and accountable election process. The Government thanks the citizens of the Nation who voted, for participating in the 2019 FSM National Election, and encourages all who didn’t vote to register for any and all future elections.