On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Palestinians will go to polling stations to cast their ballots for the 2026 local elections, as per the Palestinian Cabinet's decision scheduling the polling date.
The electoral process will be commenced in accordance with the Decree-Law No. (23) of 2025, concerning Local Authority Elections, which encompassed a set of amendments, most importantly changing the electoral system to proportional representation (open lists) in municipal councils and simple majority (individual nomination) in village councils.
Fact Sheet
The fifth local elections in Palestine will take place on April 25, 2026, according to a new electoral system, adopted with the amendment of the local elections law.
The new law adopts two electoral systems; the first system being open lists (proportional representation) in municipal councils, and the second system being majority (individual candidates) in village councils.
The Palestinian Cabinet called for conducting elections in all governorates of the country, followed by another decision postponing elections in the Southern Governorates (the Gaza Strip) except for Deir al-Balah Municipality, making the total number of local authorities included in the elections 420.
1,029,550 eligible voters who can cast ballots on April 25, 2026
Polling will take place in 183 local authorities (including the municipality of Deir al-Balah) as detailed below:
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Municipal Council
(Electoral List Nomination)
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Village Council
(Individual Candidates)
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Polling
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90 municipal councils
321 electoral list, comprised of 3773 candidates (F/M)
)2573 males | 1200 females(
Political parties represent 12% of electoral lists, whereas independent candidates represent 88%
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93 village councils
1358 candidates (F&M)
)1049 males | 309 females(
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Acclamation
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42 municipal councils
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155 village councils
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* Deir al-Balah: 4 electoral lists are nominated for its municipal council, comprised of 60 candidates (F/M).
- Women constitute 32% of candidates nominated for the membership of municipal councils (8 electoral lists are headed by women)
- Women constitute 23% of candidates nominated for the membership of village councils.
Deir al-Balah: 4 electoral lists are nominated for the municipality of Deir al-Balah comprised of women and men candidates, given that the total number of eligible voters is 70,000.
Polling Day information:
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10.677
# of Polling Staff
With 651 staff in Deir al-Balah
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491
Polling Centers
including 12 centers in Deir al-Balah
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1,922
Polling Stations
including 100 stations in Deir al-Balah
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6463
Electoral list/candidate Agent
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145 Guests and Diplomats
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2539 Accredited Observer
from 69 accredited observer body
including in Deir al-Balah: 336 observers from 12 observer bodies
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806 Accredited Journalist
from 120 media organization; 14 internatinoal
including 131 accredited journalists in Deir al-Balah
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The Council of Ministers Cabinet Resolution No. () 2026 The Code of determining the number of council members for local authorities
Matrix of legal periods associated with the different stages of local elections:
Decree-Law No. () of 2026 Concerning the number of members of local authority councils with Christian population
Decree No. () of 2025 Concerning the Formation of the Election Cases Court
Concerning the Formation of the Elections’ Cases Court Panels and Defining their Spatial (Geographical) Jurisdiction
Summary of Local Authorities 2026 - Post Exhibition and Challenges
Data of Local Authorities 2026 - Post Exhibition and Challenges
Registration stage January 20-24, 2026
Palestinian citizens who already became 17 years old, and who meet the eligibility criteria for registration as stipulated by the law, may virtually register themselves in the voters' registry online. They may also verify their date in the voters' registry using the same website.