Ramallah: The Central Elections Commission (CEC) announced today that the final number of eligible voters for the local authorities' elections scheduled for April 25, 2026, has reached one million and forty thousand voters. This figure represents 67% of the total number of citizens registered in the voters' registry, encompassing both male and female voters.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the CEC has also published the final list of candidates and electoral lists nominated for the upcoming elections on its website. This list details the candidates vying for positions in village and municipal councils. Notably, 184 out of 421 local authorities, including the city of Deir al-Balah, will witness electoral competition. There are 324 electoral lists set to compete for 91 municipal councils, while 1,358 candidates will vie for positions in 93 village councils.
Statistics further indicate that 197 local authorities, comprising both municipalities and village councils, will form their councils through acclamation. Meanwhile, 40 local authorities currently lack any electoral lists or candidates nominated for their councils. The CEC clarified that the release of the final list followed the resolution of challenges, appeals, and withdrawals, adhering to the legal timelines previously announced for the electoral process.
Furthermore, the CEC emphasized that, as per legal requirements, electoral campaigning is set to commence on April 10, 2026, and will continue for a duration of 14 days. Any campaigning activities conducted prior to this date are prohibited and considered a legal violation. The Commission stressed the importance of all candidates and electoral lists adhering strictly to the regulations governing the electoral process.