Story perspectives

West Bank and Gaza Prepare for Controversial Local Elections

4/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 25, 2024, voters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will hold local elections, the first since the October 2023 war.
Approximately 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the West Bank, with 70,000 in Gaza's Deir el-Balah area.
A new electoral law mandates candidates to support the Palestine Liberation Organisation's charter, causing discontent among some voters.
Most candidate lists align with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, with no Hamas-affiliated candidates participating.
The Palestinian Authority views the Deir el-Balah elections as an experiment, with polling staff secured by a private company coordinating indirectly with Israeli authorities.

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Story summary

On April 25, 2024, voters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will hold local elections, the first since the October 2023 war.
Approximately 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the West Bank, with 70,000 in Gaza's Deir el-Balah area.
A new electoral law mandates candidates to support the Palestine Liberation Organisation's charter, causing discontent among some voters.
Most candidate lists align with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, with no Hamas-affiliated candidates participating.
The Palestinian Authority views the Deir el-Balah elections as an experiment, with polling staff secured by a private company coordinating indirectly with Israeli authorities.