PALIKIR, POHNPEI. January 23, 2024 – The Special Election for the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia is set for the 29th of February 2024, to fill the vacancies brought on by the unfortunate passings of Senator Paliknoa K. Welly of Kosrae State and Senator Florencio S. Harper of Chuuk State.
On February 29, eligible voters across the Nation and beyond will go to the polls to decide on the two-year representative from the state of Kosrae and the two-year representative from congressional district one (1) in the state of Chuuk, the area known as the Mortlock islands.
The Congress of the FSM is a unicameral (one body) national legislature comprised of 14 Members. Four (4) of whom are elected on the basis of state equality as at-large representatives that serve a four-year term and are eligible for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. The remaining ten (10) members are elected for a two-year term representing an electoral district as apportioned by population. Accordingly, the composition of the Congress Members is: Chuuk State – 6; Kosrae State – 2; Pohnpei State – 4; and Yap State – 2.
Vying for the 2 vacant seats in the Twenty Third Congress are the following candidates for the states of Chuuk and Kosrae.
Five (5) candidates filed their petitions for the State of Chuuk, and they are:
1. Alfred Ansin
2. Cheipot Cheipot
3. Julio M. Marar
4. Kennedy L. Remit
5. Nick L. Andon
And for the State of Kosrae, three (3) candidates filed their petitions and they are:
1. Andy S. George
2. Annang K. Welly
3. Johnson A. Asher
The winning candidates will then be Members-elect of the Congressional Body to be sworn into office in the next congressional session as Members of the Twenty-Third Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.