Palestinian Authority Holds First Gaza Municipal Vote in Over Two Decades

On 25 April 2026 the Central Elections Commission held elections in the West Bank and in Deir al-Balah, Gaza polling site. The ballot is the first Gaza local vote since the 2006 legislative election and was framed as a pilot to test voting amid war-damaged infrastructure.

Al Jazeera (website)Times of IsraelCNN

President Mahmoud Abbas leads the Fatah-run PA. Hamas, which controls half of Gaza, did not submit official slates; its police guarded Deir al-Balah polling sites. Four lists—Peace and Construction, Deir al-Balah Brings Us Together, Future of Deir al-Balah and Renaissance of Deir al-Balah—each fielded 15 candidates, with at least four women.

The New ArabAl Jazeera (website)

The CEC listed about 1.5 million eligible voters in the West Bank and roughly 70 000 in Deir al-Balah. Preliminary tallies showed 53.4 % turnout in the West Bank and 22.7 % in Deir al-Balah, though some agencies reported a mid-day Gaza figure of 24.5 %.

The New Arab

CEC spokesperson Fareed Taamallah said the “main idea is to link the West Bank and Gaza as one system.” Rami Hamdallah said reforms aim to “geographically link the West Bank and Gaza Strip.” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called the vote “a positive and important step.” Carter Center director Sarah Johnson said Gaza’s inclusion is “fundamental to any credible path toward self-determination.”

The PA presents the vote as a step toward linking Gaza and the West Bank, a reform demanded by donors. Observers view it as a barometer of Hamas support and a possible prelude to national elections that could affect the stalled U.S. peace plan.

Mahmud Bader, a Tulkarem businessman, said “the occupation is the one that rules Tulkarem… it would only be an image shown to the international media.” Marwan Ennabi called the process “chaos, chaos, chaos!” Factions boycotted over the PLO-recognition clause.

Turnout figures differ: Gaza’s participation is reported as 22.7 % or 24.5 % and West Bank turnout as 53.4 % or 53.44 %. No official results have been released, leaving the performance of the Hamas-aligned list and the composition of the new councils uncertain.

• “We want the world to help us overcome the catastrophe of war. Enough wars — it is time to work towards rebuilding Gaza.” — Mohammed al-Hasayna, voter, Deir al-Balah

• “The [Israeli] occupation is the one that rules Tulkarem. It would only be an image shown to the international media — as if we have elections, a state or independence.” — Mahmud Bader, businessman, Tulkarem

• “The citizen today is not looking for slogans, but for real solutions,” — Rabha al-Bhaisi, Gaza resident

Al Jazeera (website)

• “Holding municipal elections in Deir al-Balah is a positive and important step,” — Hazem Qassem, Hamas spokesman

CNN

Results are expected Sunday. The PA may schedule legislative and presidential elections thereafter, while donors will assess whether the pilot justifies the next phases of the Trump-backed reconstruction plan and addresses the PA’s fiscal strain from Israeli tax withholdings.