Position paper: Local elections in the West Bank — an important step towards restoring democracy that must be completed
Local-council elections in the West Bank are a significant milestone on the Palestinian democratic path. Pal-Think closely observed the second phase of the process, held across the West Bank's towns, and documents it in this report.
- Author
- The editorial team
- Date
- 2022-03-31
Introduction:
The holding of local-body elections in the West Bank is an important event in the Palestinian democratic course — and their regularity is a necessity after postponement in the West Bank and interruption in the Gaza Strip, across all sectors and bodies, beginning with the general and local elections and passing through the unions, syndicates, and student councils.
Pal-Think for Strategic Studies followed with keen interest the second phase of the electoral process, held in 11 West Bank governorates including occupied Jerusalem, conducted in 50 local bodies, contested by 234 electoral lists — independent lists representing 64.4% and party lists 35.6%, according to the statements of the chairman of the Central Elections Commission, Hanna Nasir, at the morning press conference held in al-Bireh on 26 March 2022. Overall participation reached 53% of eligible voters — despite the challenges standing in the way of holding regular, continuous, sustained elections across all Palestinian areas, sectors, and institutions.
