RAMALLAH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Central Election Commission on Monday announced the opening of nomination centers for the 2026 local elections, which will remain open until March 1.
In a press statement, the commission said its offices are receiving nomination applications for 421 local councils at 12 locations across cities in the West Bank and in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
The statement described the elections as a "pivotal moment," noting that they will be the first local elections held in Gaza since 2005. The commission affirmed its commitment to holding elections in all local authorities in the strip once appropriate conditions are in place.
The Palestinian local elections are scheduled for April 2026. The elections will be conducted in accordance with a new election law issued by the Palestinian president, which requires candidates to sign a pledge recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization and its commitments as a condition for candidacy.
There are 445 local bodies in the Palestinian territories, including 420 in the West Bank and 25 in the Gaza Strip. These comprise 161 municipal councils and 284 local councils.
The last local elections in the West Bank were held in 2021. Elections in Gaza were postponed at the time "until suitable conditions are met," due to the internal Palestinian division. ■
