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First Gaza Election Since 2006 Deemed Credible.

4/26/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Central Elections Commission held Gaza’s election since 2006 on April 25 in Deir al-Balah.
The Palestinian Authority listed 1.5 million West Bank voters and 70 000 in Deir al-Balah, with turnout of 40.62 % in the West Bank and 21 % in Deir al-Balah.
UN and EU observers deemed the vote credible and a step toward a Palestinian framework, noting all lists were Fatah-aligned or independent, Hamas fielded none, and a pro-Hamas list existed.

History

Historical Context

The first Palestinian legislative election on 20 January 1996 in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem gave Yasser Arafat’s Fatah 54 % of 2.5 million votes with a 73 % turnout. Decades of Fatah-Hamas rivalry have repeatedly cut participation, as seen in the 25 April 2024 Deir al-Balah poll where EU monitors noted only 21 % turnout and Hamas abstained, deepening doubts about unified governance and peace talks.

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Story summary

The Central Elections Commission held Gaza’s election since 2006 on April 25 in Deir al-Balah.
The Palestinian Authority listed 1.5 million West Bank voters and 70 000 in Deir al-Balah, with turnout of 40.62 % in the West Bank and 21 % in Deir al-Balah.
UN and EU observers deemed the vote credible and a step toward a Palestinian framework, noting all lists were Fatah-aligned or independent, Hamas fielded none, and a pro-Hamas list existed.

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