Palestinian Election Commission Opens Candidate Registration for Local Elections

Ramallah (ANTARA) - The Palestinian Election Commission on Monday (23/2) announced the opening of nomination centres for the 2026 local elections, which will remain open until 1 March.

In a press statement, the commission said its offices are accepting candidacy applications for members of 421 local councils at 12 locations across various cities in the West Bank and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip.

The statement described the elections as a “crucial moment,” noting that they would constitute the first local elections held in Gaza since 2005. The commission affirmed its commitment to conducting elections across all local authorities in the Gaza Strip once appropriate conditions are met.

The Palestinian local elections are scheduled to be held in April 2026. The elections will be conducted in accordance with new electoral legislation issued by the Palestinian president, requiring candidates to sign a pledge recognising the Palestine Liberation Organization and its commitments as a condition of candidacy.

There are 445 local government bodies in Palestinian territories, including 420 in the West Bank and 25 in the Gaza Strip. Of these, 161 are municipal councils and 284 are local councils.

The last local elections in the West Bank were held in 2021. Elections in Gaza were suspended at that time “until enabling conditions are met,” owing to internal Palestinian divisions.