Story perspectives

Central Elections Commission starts West Bank voter registration Aug. 15

8/15/2026

Summary

Election Commission Registers

The Central Elections Commission launched field voter registration in the occupied West Bank on August 15, 2026.
Registration runs through August 19 at 467 centers for Palestinians 17 and older, with Gaza residents entered automatically, Jerusalem ID holders exempt, and over 1.6 million (86.5%) West Bank voters already registered, urging others to sign up by the deadline.
Hamas bureau member Husam Badran said the group will join the elections within the broadest possible national coalition.

Summary

Hamas Rejects Pledge

The new election law forces every Palestinian electoral list to pledge loyalty to the PLO and renounce violence, thereby recognizing Israel.
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran called the pledge illegal tutelage and said proxy slates will comply without changing Hamas’s ideology.
An October 2025 PCPSR poll showed 53% of Palestinians justified Hamas’s 2023 attack and gave Hamas 29% support versus 20% for Fatah among likely voters.

History

Historical Context

In January 2006 the Palestinian Legislative Council election gave Hamas’s Change and Reform list 44.5% of the vote and 74 of 132 seats, ending Fatah’s long dominance. The shift brought Hamas into formal governance and sparked international aid freezes. Today, the Central Elections Commission’s August 15-19 2026 West Bank voter registration and a new PLO-loyalty law echo that 2006 realignment, reshaping coalition prospects.

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Election Commission Registers

The Central Elections Commission launched field voter registration in the occupied West Bank on August 15, 2026.
Registration runs through August 19 at 467 centers for Palestinians 17 and older, with Gaza residents entered automatically, Jerusalem ID holders exempt, and over 1.6 million (86.5%) West Bank voters already registered, urging others to sign up by the deadline.
Hamas bureau member Husam Badran said the group will join the elections within the broadest possible national coalition.

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