On Saturday 25 April 2026, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and in the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip voted to elect local councils. For Gaza, it was the first election of any kind in 20 years, since 2006.
Municipal councils do not make national laws. They run water, sanitation, waste collection and local roads. After two years of war, those services matter enormously to daily life.
A first vote, at 34
Many adults in Gaza had never been able to vote. One man in Deir al-Balah, 34-year-old Ibrahim Al Qatta, told The National it was the first vote of his life and called it a major achievement. Some polling stations were set up in tents. Others were in community buildings, including a youth club and a women’s association.
The numbers
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- About 70,000 people were eligible to vote in Deir al-Balah, less than five percent of Gaza’s population.
- Turnout in Deir al-Balah was about 23 to 25 percent. Officials blamed outdated voter lists, displacement and hardship.
- In the West Bank, turnout reached about 53 percent, with more than 512,000 votes cast.
- A new law lowered the minimum age to stand as a candidate from 25 to 23.
Mixed reviews, real meaning
The UN coordinator praised the election commission for a credible process, and the EU called the elections a key step towards broader democratisation. The Carter Center stressed that including Gaza is essential for any future national vote. Critics pointed out that the vote was limited to one city in Gaza, that Israel did not allow voting in East Jerusalem, and that low turnout showed deep frustration.
A Palestinian youth organisation welcomed the lower candidacy age and called for it to drop to 18, so young people can stand for office as soon as they can vote. Local election officials said a freely elected council shows that elections are the way to transfer power peacefully.
Why we cover it
Democracy is not only about big national elections in stable countries. Sometimes it starts with a ballot box in a tent and a council that has to fix the water pipes. These elections were imperfect. They were also a sign that many Palestinians, especially young people, want a say in how they are governed.
Sources
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- The National: Gazans hail election as important step
- Anadolu Agency: turnout figures
- CNN via KVIA: Gaza holds first elections in 20 years
- AFP via Arab News: low turnout, EU reaction
- AFP via Daily Sabah: UN coordinator on a credible process
- Al-Quds: youth organisation on candidacy age
- SBS: What Gaza’s first vote revealed
