Palestinian Elections Face Hurdles Amidst Candidacy Opening

The Palestinian legislative elections have entered the candidacy phase as the Central Elections Committee begins accepting list applications for the vote scheduled for November 28. Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, stated that the elections are becoming more serious with the start of list registration but warned of obstacles, particularly in Gaza and Jerusalem, that could hinder the process. He described the elections as a long-overdue necessity, noting that Palestinians have not had the chance to elect a legislative council or president in nearly 20 years.

Barghouti identified the primary challenge as ensuring Palestinians can exercise their right to vote, especially in Gaza, given the current conditions. He suggested Israel might attempt to prevent the elections and urged the international community to pressure for their organization and the deployment of observers in Gaza and the West Bank. The Central Elections Committee confirmed that legislative elections will take place in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and Gaza, and is working on arrangements for these areas. Internally, Barghouti pointed to restrictive conditions for candidates, such as a $20,000 deposit for each list, which the Elections Committee stated is for candidacy and campaign expenses and is refundable under specific legal conditions. Lists must also include between 16 and 132 candidates and be endorsed by 3,000 voters.

Barghouti stressed that the elections cannot be complete without the participation of Jerusalem residents, rejecting any limitations on their voting rights based on identity card holders. The Central Elections Committee indicated that around 140,000 Jerusalem ID holders are eligible to vote among nearly 2.97 million eligible voters across the territories. The committee assured that the right of Jerusalem and Gaza residents to participate is preserved, with specific procedures to be announced. Barghouti encouraged Jerusalemites to vote, suggesting polling stations in areas surrounding the city and emphasizing their crucial role. He also called for extensive local and international election monitoring to prevent fraud or interference.

Furthermore, Barghouti linked the legislative elections to the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank under a single legislative body, highlighting the political significance beyond electing council members. He proposed that presidential elections should follow the legislative ones, as the current system directly elects the president. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set November 28 for legislative elections in July, with presidential elections tentatively planned for the first quarter of 2027. Barghouti criticized the appointment process within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) institutions, advocating for elections to the Palestinian National Council with the participation of Palestinians abroad. The Palestinian presidency recently approved a new electoral system for the National Council, allowing for direct elections where possible, allocating 150 of 350 seats to Palestinians overseas. Barghouti also warned that internal Fatah party disputes and multiple Fatah-affiliated lists could add pressure to the electoral landscape, though his party and others intend to participate despite reservations about some election conditions.