The Central Elections Committee in Palestine began accepting nominations for the 2026 legislative elections on Saturday, September 26. The committee received applications at its headquarters in Al-Bireh and its office in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. The nomination process will continue for 12 days, until October 7. According to the committee, candidates must be nominated through electoral lists only, with a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 132 candidates per list.
The committee stated that the nomination process involves submitting completed forms, documents, and attachments, which will be reviewed and verified to ensure they meet the legal requirements. The committee emphasized that receiving a nomination application does not imply its acceptance or approval. On the first day, six lists submitted their candidacies, including "Palestine Future Alliance," "Justice and Building," "Democratic Unity and Change," "National Initiative," "New Path," and "The Work."
The "Palestine Future Alliance" list was the first to submit its candidacy, consisting of 114 candidates from various governorates, including national, democratic, and professional figures from the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The list is led by Razek al-Namoura, a member of the Popular Struggle Front's political bureau and former Palestinian ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Women make up 40% of the list, while young people comprise 33%.
These elections will be the first in Palestine in 20 years, since the 2006 legislative elections. The polls are scheduled to take place on November 28 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The elections aim to renew the Palestinian Legislative Council, which has been inactive since 2007. The council's term has been extended several times due to the political division between Fatah and Hamas.
According to the Central Elections Committee, the nomination process will continue until October 7, and the committee will review and verify the applications to ensure they meet the legal requirements. The committee's spokesperson, Farid Tamallah, stated that it takes three days to review an application and notify the list about its acceptance, rejection, or required modifications.
The Palestinian Legislative Council elections are a crucial step in the country's democratic process. The council plays a vital role in Palestinian politics, and its renewal is expected to have a significant impact on the country's future. The elections are also seen as an opportunity for Palestinians to express their opinions and choose their representatives.
The Central Elections Committee has confirmed that it is prepared to oversee the elections, which are expected to be a significant event in Palestinian politics. The committee has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
Key points
- Six lists of candidates submitted their candidacies on the first day of nominations for the 2026 Palestinian legislative elections.
- The elections are scheduled to take place on November 28 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- The Palestinian Legislative Council has been inactive since 2007 due to the political division between Fatah and Hamas.
