Palestinians vote in local elections as polls open for the first time since Gaza war
Summary
Palestinians in the West Bank and part of Gaza voted in local municipal elections for the first time since the recent Gaza war. Most candidates belong to President Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party or run as independents, with no Hamas candidates participating.Key Facts
- Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and 70,000 in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah area were eligible to vote.
- The elections occurred amid political tensions and widespread voter discouragement.
- No candidates from Hamas, which controls much of Gaza, were on the election lists.
- Many cities had only one candidate list, which won automatically without voting.
- Polling stations opened at 7 am and closed at 7 pm in the West Bank, earlier in Gaza due to electricity shortages.
- UN coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov praised the election process as credible and important amid difficulties.
- The elections were seen by some as a test of the Palestinian Authority’s control and legitimacy after years without legislative or presidential votes.
- Deir el-Balah was chosen for Gaza voting because its population remained mostly in place despite war and displacement.
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