New York:The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has expressed its appreciation for a recent United Nations (UN) report that commends its competence and professional independence in managing the Palestinian legislative elections. The report also calls for facilitating the CEC's work to ensure the free participation of voters in the upcoming elections.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency , the UN report, issued by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) and submitted to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in New York, highlights the CEC's efforts to conduct the electoral process transparently and professionally in line with legal timelines. The legislative elections are scheduled for November 28.
The AHLC, chaired by Norway, includes the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other international bodies. It serves as a key international framework for coordinating assistance to Palestinians. The report welcomed the Presidential Decree that set the date for legislative elections and noted ongoing preparations supported by the UN and AHLC members.
Emphasizing the importance of transparent and inclusive elections across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, the report stresses that these elections are crucial for renewing Palestinian institutions. It highlights that more than half of eligible voters have never participated in national elections before.
The report specifically praises the CEC as one of the most capable electoral management bodies in the region. It acknowledges the CEC's ability to maintain professional independence and technical standards despite challenging political and financial conditions, noting its role in administering local elections and maintaining the voter register.
The report identifies the CEC as a successful Palestinian institution and calls for continued political and financial support for it beyond November 2026, to ensure its capacity to organize future elections. Preservation of Palestinian institutions is highlighted as one of five key priorities for international support, with a focus on multi-year backing for the CEC and Palestinian civil society.