The
August 27 - September 9, 2025
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Kaselehlie Press
The
August 27, 2025
Free bi-weekly publication
Vol. 25 Issue No. 18
KASELEHLIE PRESS Kpress@mail.fm
PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
(691) 320-6547
Chuuk challengers file sweeping appeal, demand Weno re-vote By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press August 22, 2025 FSM—The March 4 Chuuk gubernatorial election that ended in violence, confusion, and competing claims of legitimacy is now back in court. Former gubernatorial candidates Mark Mailo and Joe Enlet have filed a 225-page appeal with the FSM Supreme Court, alleging ballot tampering, unlawful arrests, judicial conflicts of interest, and the use of an election commission repeatedly rejected by the Senate. They are asking for the March 13 certification of results to be declared invalid and for a new election in Weno, the state’s largest municipality. Two Commissions, One Election At the heart of the appeal is the question of
which election commission was lawful: the Senate-confirmed “holdover” members, or Governor Alexander Narruhn’s “new” nominees, who were never confirmed by the Senate. The Governor’s commission nevertheless seized control of the Election Office, oversaw the March 4 vote, and certified results favoring Narruhn and Lt. Governor Mekioshy William. On March 14 and again on April 4, the Senate formally rejected most of Narruhn’s nominees. But by then the election had already been conducted under their authority. The “holdover” commission, excluded from the process and in some cases threatened, ordered a re-vote in Weno. The April 8 re-vote produced a landslide win for Mailo and Enlet, but was rejected by the Governor’s commission as illegitimate.
Ballot Boxes in the Governor’s Office
Mortlocks were taken to the Governor’s conference room, where they remained The appellants allege widespread for more than two days under the control misconduct during the March 4 election. Sworn affidavits claim that 10 ballot Click here for continuation on page 4 boxes from Weno and three from the
FSM celebrates historic submarine cable landing in Kosrae FSM Information Services
Japan.
August 18, 2025 Lelu, Kosrae—The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) marked a historic milestone in its digital development journey with the successful landing of the East Micronesia Cable (EMC) in Kosrae State. The event was attended by The Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the FSM; The Honorable Tulensa K. Palik, Governor of Kosrae; members of the FSM Congress; members of the Kosrae State Legislature; and municipal leaders from across Kosrae. They were joined by representatives from key development partners—Australia, the United States, and
This momentous occasion signifies the completion of submarine fiber optic cable landings in all the four FSM states, a major achievement in the nation’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and foster inclusive development.
https://rampmida.fm
The EMC is a transformative project Click here for continuation on page 5