Palestinian Authority party wins elections in West Bank and Gaza city

Fatah, the party of the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, won most of the disputes in the municipal elections held on Saturday (25). This was the first election in the West Bank since the war began in October 2023, and the first vote anywhere in the Gaza Strip in 20 years.

Since 2006, cities in Gaza have not had an election. This time, the population of the city of Deir al Balah can choose municipal councilors, who function as councilors. It is from those elected that a council leader is indirectly defined, who acts as a mayor.

According to Abbas, the inclusion of Deir al Balah in the elections reinforces that Gaza is an inseparable part of the Palestinian State. Hamas did not appoint representatives to the city council and also boycotted city disputes in the West Bank.

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Despite the boycott, in Deir al Balah the results communicated by the Palestinian electoral authority indicate that, of the 15 council members elected, 2 are close to Hamas. Another six posts went to Fatah (the largest group) and the remaining seats were shared by two other party groups.

In the cities of the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered, Fatah won a large majority of choices to form municipal or village councils.

Commenting on the results, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said that the national expression of the Palestinian people indicated a first step towards “strengthening democratic life” and achieving “the unity of the territory”.

Despite the symbolism, voting in the midst of the genocide perpetrated by Israel reduced voter turnout. According to the country’s Central Electoral Committee, more than a million Palestinians in the West Bank were eligible to vote, but only 56% of voters turned out. In Gaza, 70,000 people could vote, but turnout was only 23%.

*With information from AFP and Reuters