1.媒體來源: Island Times
2.記者署名: Bernadette Carreon
3.完整新聞標題: Oilouch concedes defeat to Whipps
4.完整新聞內文:
Presidential hopeful Raynold Oilouch yesterday conceded defeat to businessman
Surangel Whipps Jr. after the tabulation of all votes in Palau on Wednesday
night.
Whipps is ahead of Oilouch by 1,202 votes, with at least 2,000 absentee
ballots still needing to be counted next week, but the sitting vice president
considers the lead insurmountable .
“The election is over and the people have spoken. So, let me first
congratulate President-elect Surangel Jr. and all those elected to lead our
next government,’ he said.
He said “knowing the difference,” conceding to Whipps is the “right thing
to do.”
Whipps got 4,640 out of the 8,212 votes cast in the presidential race.
Oilouch, meanwhile secured 3,438 votes.
In thanking his supporters and family, Oilouch reflected on his time on the
campaign trail.
“On behalf of my wife and family, I want to thank all the Palauan people who
voted, and to especially thank those who voted for me and the many
hardworking supporters who worked tirelessly throughout the campaign,” he
said.
While the race did not end in his favor, Oilouch said he was proud of his
campaign.
“We did the best we could but I guess God has other plans for us. Be proud
of what we did. Finally, let’s continue to pray for our country as we sail
together through this challenging time. God bless Palau and all the people of
Palau,” Oilouch added in his statement.
Whipps ran on a campaign of change, promising better education and healthcare
systems for the Palauans. He also supports a more conservative government
spending especially in the time of the pandemic.
Whipps however vowed to support the business sector ’s recovery due to the
tourism slump.
Oilouch meanwhile campaigned for stability and better housing for the people.
He believed that cutting government spending would mean loss of livelihood
for the people during a difficult time.
The 2020 election is considered historic with outgoing President Tommy
Remengesau retiring to become a fisherman after serving two-terms which makes
him ineligible to seek re-election.
Whipps ran and lost against Remengesau in 2016.
In a press conference on Wednesday President Remengesau said his departing
administration will facilitate a smooth transition of power to the incoming
president.
5.完整新聞連結 (或短網址): https://tinyurl.com/yxcneo5a
6.備註:
帛琉大選和美國一樣時間
這次選舉的兩個候選人是現任副總統Oilouch和上次挑戰現任總統失敗的小Surangel
報導中說到小Surangel目前領先1202票，而還有至少兩千張不在籍選票未開出
但Oilouch認為大勢已去，所以直接承認敗選、並恭喜對手
小Surangel是虔誠的SDA信徒，不菸不酒不檳榔(帛琉非常需要更多這樣的人)
希望他上任後和臺灣關係依舊緊密
我說那個隔壁棚的........