First Palestinian Elections After Gaza War: Low Turnout, Limited Competition
The first municipal elections in the Palestinian territories since the Gaza war took place with low voter turnout, particularly in Gaza's Deir al-Balah region (21.2%), compared to the West Bank (40.62%). The absence of Hamas led to limited competition, yet the EU still views it as a significant step towards democratization.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 07:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 08:01 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 08:03 (1 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, April 25, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Palestinians in the West Bank and the Deir al-Balah region of central Gaza participated in municipal elections today, the first since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The atmosphere was subdued, and candidate choices were limited.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Central Election Commission, based in Ramallah, West Bank, stated that there are approximately 1.5 million registered voters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and 70,000 registered voters in the Deir al-Balah area of Gaza.
Wafa news agency reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, after casting his vote, said that despite local and international challenges, the Palestinian people are exercising their democracy.
Early this morning, voters arrived at polling stations in the West Bank, with foreign diplomatic officials present to observe the election process.
The Central Election Commission indicated that as of 5 PM, voter turnout in the West Bank reached 40.62%. However, turnout in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, was significantly lower, reaching only 21.2% by the time polls closed at 6 PM.
In the last municipal elections held in March 2022, voter turnout in West Bank cities was 53.7%.
Most candidates on the ballot were associated with Fatah, the secular nationalist organization to which Abbas belongs, or were independent candidates.
Hamas, Fatah's main rival and controller of Gaza, did not participate in these elections.
Local municipal councils are responsible for water resources, public health, and infrastructure but have no legislative power.
Nevertheless, since the Palestinian Authority chairman and legislative elections stalled in 2006, municipal councils have become one of the few remaining democratic mechanisms of the Palestinian Authority.
The European Union (EU) described this vote as an important step towards broader democratization.
Two years of conflict have devastated Gaza. According to the local health ministry, the war has resulted in over 72,000 deaths. Gaza's infrastructure, health, and medical systems are currently struggling.
24-year-old voter Mohammed al-Hasayna stated after casting his vote that although the election was largely symbolic, it also represented the people's "will to survive." He told AFP: "We are educated people, strong-willed, and we deserve our own country."
He added: "We hope the world will help us emerge from the disaster of war; enough is enough, the war should end, and it's time to start rebuilding Gaza." (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 1150426
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(Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, April 25, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Palestinians in the West Bank and the Deir al-Balah region of central Gaza participated in municipal elections today, the first since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The atmosphere was subdued, and candidate choices were limited.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Central Election Commission, based in Ramallah, West Bank, stated that there are approximately 1.5 million registered voters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and 70,000 registered voters in the Deir al-Balah area of Gaza.
Wafa news agency reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, after casting his vote, said that despite local and international challenges, the Palestinian people are exercising their democracy.
Early this morning, voters arrived at polling stations in the West Bank, with foreign diplomatic officials present to observe the election process.
The Central Election Commission indicated that as of 5 PM, voter turnout in the West Bank reached 40.62%. However, turnout in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, was significantly lower, reaching only 21.2% by the time polls closed at 6 PM.
In the last municipal elections held in March 2022, voter turnout in West Bank cities was 53.7%.
Most candidates on the ballot were associated with Fatah, the secular nationalist organization to which Abbas belongs, or were independent candidates.
Hamas, Fatah's main rival and controller of Gaza, did not participate in these elections.
Local municipal councils are responsible for water resources, public health, and infrastructure but have no legislative power.
Nevertheless, since the Palestinian Authority chairman and legislative elections stalled in 2006, municipal councils have become one of the few remaining democratic mechanisms of the Palestinian Authority.
The European Union (EU) described this vote as an important step towards broader democratization.
Two years of conflict have devastated Gaza. According to the local health ministry, the war has resulted in over 72,000 deaths. Gaza's infrastructure, health, and medical systems are currently struggling.
24-year-old voter Mohammed al-Hasayna stated after casting his vote that although the election was largely symbolic, it also represented the people's "will to survive." He told AFP: "We are educated people, strong-willed, and we deserve our own country."
He added: "We hope the world will help us emerge from the disaster of war; enough is enough, the war should end, and it's time to start rebuilding Gaza." (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 1150426
Choose to stand with facts; every donation you make is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.