AFP: Palestinians in the West Bank and a central area of Gaza began voting on Saturday in municipal elections — the first vote since Israel’s deadly invasion of Gaza — amid a narrow political field and widespread disillusionment.
Nearly 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, along with about 70,000 in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, according to the Central Elections Commission. Polling stations opened at 7am.
Most electoral lists are aligned with President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement or consist of independent candidates. There are no lists affiliated with Hamas.
Municipal councils handle basic services such as water, sanitation, and infrastructure, but do not enact legislation. With no presidential or legislative elections held since 2006, these councils remain among the few functioning democratic institutions. The Palestinian Authority faces criticism over corruption, stagnation, and declining legitimacy, while international donors have tied support to governance reforms. A UN coordinator described the elections as a “credible process” and an opportunity for Palestinians to exercise democratic rights during a difficult period.
In Gaza, voting is limited to Deir el-Balah — one of the few areas where much of the population has remained despite more than two years of conflict. The vote is seen largely as symbolic but reflects people’s determination and desire for rebuilding and stability after extensive destruction and loss of life. Polling stations in the West Bank close at 7pm, while voting in Gaza ends earlier due to limited electricity.
