Story perspectives

Palestinian Authority Holds First Municipal Elections Since 2006

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Palestinian Authority held municipal elections on April 25, 2026 in the West Bank and Deir al-Balah, Gaza, the enclave’s first vote since 2006.
Turnout was 40.62 % in the West Bank and 21.2 % in Deir al-Balah, while the Central Elections Commission’s requirement that candidates recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation barred Hamas and sparked a boycott.
The European Union called the election an important step toward broader democratization and local-government reform.

History

Historical Context

In January 2006 the Palestinian Legislative Council election gave Hamas’s Change and Reform list 74 of 132 seats with 44.5% of the vote, while Fatah won 45 seats and turnout hit about 73%. The win deepened the split, and under a 2026 municipal rule requiring PLO recognition, Hamas is barred from West Bank and Deir al-Balah polls, prompting a boycott.

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Story summary

Palestinian Authority held municipal elections on April 25, 2026 in the West Bank and Deir al-Balah, Gaza, the enclave’s first vote since 2006.
Turnout was 40.62 % in the West Bank and 21.2 % in Deir al-Balah, while the Central Elections Commission’s requirement that candidates recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation barred Hamas and sparked a boycott.
The European Union called the election an important step toward broader democratization and local-government reform.

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