Arabic version: الانتخابات المحلية التاريخية في فلسطين
Palestinians are voting in local elections on Saturday, including the first poll of any kind to be held in Gaza since 2006. Elections are taking place across the occupied West Bank, as well as in Deir al-Balah, the only city in Gaza where elections are taking place, according to BBC News.
The elections occur in a politically charged atmosphere, with Hamas barred from participating and several factions boycotting due to a requirement for candidates to recognize the authority of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is the dominant faction in the PLO and is expected to secure victories in many districts, as opposition candidates are largely absent.
More than a million voters across the Palestinian territories are eligible to cast their ballots, including 70,000 in Deir al-Balah, where 12 polling stations have been established. Results from the elections are anticipated late Saturday or Sunday. Although Hamas is not on the ballot, some candidates are perceived as aligned with the group.
The choice of Deir al-Balah for the elections is notable due to its relatively undamaged state compared to other areas in Gaza, which have suffered extensive destruction in recent conflicts. Despite a fragile ceasefire, Hamas remains active in parts of Gaza, with its police overseeing security at polling stations.
Public sentiment towards Hamas has shifted in Gaza following the recent war, with some blaming the group for initiating the conflict on 7 October 2023. Conversely, disillusionment with the Palestinian Authority, seen by many as ineffective and corrupt, has led to increased support for Hamas in the West Bank. The elections highlight the ongoing divisions between Fatah and Hamas, which have not held local elections in the West Bank since 2022 and in Gaza for two decades.
The United Nations has characterized the elections as an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their democratic rights in a challenging context. However, some voters express skepticism about the potential for meaningful change, viewing the elections as largely symbolic in the face of ongoing Israeli occupation.
