Gaza, April 25: For the first time in nearly two decades, local elections were held in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, with thousands of Palestinians casting their votes. The election process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central region of Gaza, while local elections also took place in the West Bank.
According to the Palestinian Central Election Commission, polling stations opened at 7 AM local time. Voting in Deir al-Balah continued until 5 PM, while in the West Bank, it extended until 7 PM.
The commission reported that a total of 1.3 million voters are eligible to participate in the elections across Palestinian territories, with around 70,000 registered voters in Deir al-Balah.
These elections are being conducted for 183 local government entities in the Palestinian territories. A total of 321 electoral lists are in the running, with 3,773 candidates vying for local council seats. Additionally, there are 1,358 candidates contesting for village councils.
In Deir al-Balah, four electoral lists are competing, each comprising 15 candidates, including at least four women.
Election officials noted that Deir al-Balah was chosen as one of the areas in Gaza where infrastructure has suffered relatively less damage.
Prior to the elections, vibrant campaigning was visible throughout the city’s streets, shops, power poles, displacement camps, community centers, and areas housing refugee families.
Voter Salman Al-Aidi, 42, remarked that the voting process was peaceful and that voters faced no difficulties. He emphasized that participating in local elections after so many years is a significant opportunity for the people.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the voting as an “important step,” asserting that conditions should be created to facilitate elections throughout Gaza.
Political analyst Iyad Abdel Jawad stated that the aim of these elections is to reactivate the long-stalled local democratic framework.
It is noteworthy that the last local elections in Gaza were held in 2006. Following Hamas’s takeover in 2007 and ongoing conflicts and political divisions, elections have not been conducted since then.
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