Palestinian local elections conclude amid challenges in West Bank & Gaza
Speaking at a press conference in Al-Bireh, he noted that efforts were made to treat the West Bank and Gaza as a single geographic unit.
KATHMANDU: The Palestinian Central Elections Commission has announced the final results of local elections conducted across 183 municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Commission chief Rami Hamdallah said the elections were carried out with integrity and transparency despite complex and difficult conditions.
Speaking at a press conference in Al-Bireh, he noted that efforts were made to treat the West Bank and Gaza as a single geographic unit.
As part of that effort, the Gaza municipality of Deir al-Balah was included. However, major obstacles emerged when Israeli authorities reportedly denied permission to transport election materials into the area. Local officials responded by producing ballot papers and boxes themselves to ensure voting could proceed.
According to the commission, around 552,000 voters cast their ballots out of 1.03 million eligible voters. Voter turnout reached 56 percent in the West Bank but only 23 percent in Deir al-Balah.
Hamdallah attributed the lower turnout in Gaza to outdated voter lists and the impact of ongoing conflict. The vote marks the first local election held in Gaza in nearly 20 years.
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the elections highlight the need to revive Palestinian political institutions. He also called for long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections.
