Gaza holds first municipal election in two decades

Palestinian Municipal Elections Underway in Gaza and West Bank

Polling stations opened on Saturday for eligible voters in Deir el-Balah, a city in central Gaza, marking the first electoral exercise in the enclave in 20 years. The vote is being held in a single city, with officials describing it as a “pilot” to test the electoral process.

In addition, polling stations are open in the occupied West Bank, where nearly 1.5 million registered voters are casting ballots to determine the makeup of local councils overseeing water, roads, and electricity. The elections come amid a restricted political landscape and public disillusionment with corruption and stagnation.

The Palestinian Authority’s Central Elections Commission has chosen Deir el-Balah as the location for its first vote due to the area’s relative preservation compared to other parts of Gaza. The commission had to improvise voter registration, as it was unable to conduct traditional voter registration in Gaza.

The elections feature most electoral lists backed by President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement or independent candidates, with no official participation from Hamas, which controls parts of Gaza. The commission has not coordinated directly with Israel or Hamas ahead of the vote.

According to commission figures, Palestinian voter turnout has gradually decreased, but it has been relatively high in past local elections. Polling indicates that Hamas remains a popular faction in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The United Nations deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process has described the elections as an “important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their democratic rights.” The Palestinian President has signed decrees aimed at reforming the electoral system, including lowering the eligibility age to run and raising quotas for female candidates.

Source: Al Jazeera