197 Palestinian local councils win uncontested, voter turnout at 54%

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced on Sunday that members of 197 local councils won uncontested in municipal elections held in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, with an overall voter turnout of 54%. Commission head Rami Hamdallah told a press conference in Ramallah that voters cast ballots on Saturday to elect representatives for 183 councils. He added that 522,000 voters participated, marking a significant civic engagement despite ongoing Israeli military operations and political divisions.

First municipal polls since 2023 war

Saturday’s vote was the first municipal election since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. Voting in Deir al-Balah was possible because the city suffered relatively less damage during Israel’s two-year military campaign, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and destroyed most of Gaza’s infrastructure. The elections come amid a prolonged Palestinian political divide that has persisted since 2007, highlighting their importance for local governance even in the absence of legislative and presidential elections.