Palestinian Elections: Abbas Loyalists Win Key Seats Across the West Bank and Gaza

Palestinian Municipal Elections Hold in Gaza, West Bank

Voter turnout in Gaza remained low at 23 percent due to ongoing challenges and exceptional circumstances, according to election officials. The elections, held on Saturday, marked the first time a city in Gaza was included in a municipal poll in nearly two decades.

The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammed Mustafa, described the elections as taking place “at a highly sensitive moment” amid complex challenges. The vote in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza’s only participating city, was seen as a symbolic “pilot” election aimed at demonstrating Gaza’s connection to a future Palestinian state.

In the occupied West Bank, Fatah loyalists won most races, securing six seats on the Nahdat Deir el-Balah list. The remaining seats were won by two other Gaza-based groups, Future of Deir el-Balah and Peace and Building. Abbas loyalists also dominated the election in the West Bank, running unchallenged in many seats.

Turnout was 56 percent in the occupied West Bank, compared to 23 percent in Gaza. Some ballot boxes and voting equipment were unable to be delivered due to Israeli restrictions. The Central Elections Commission reported that voter turnout was close to that of previous municipal elections in the West Bank in 2022.

Chairman Rami Hamdallah stated that voter participation was notable despite ongoing violence by Israel. Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza City, attributed low voter turnout in Gaza to outdated data and displacement of the population due to the genocide. One resident, Ashraf Abu Dan, expressed his right to vote as a means of participating in municipal council elections.

The Palestinian Authority officials described the election as an opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their right to participate in governance.

Source: Al Jazeera