On February 8th,2011 the Cabinet issued a decision to hold local elections nationwide on July 9th, 2011. Elections were to be conducted in 295 localities in the West Bank and 25 in Gaza Strip. However, due to the political split and closure of CEC’s offices in Gaza, the Cabinet decided on May 17th to postpone elections till October 22nd ,2011 to enable the Commission from completing administrative and technical requirements to operate its offices in Gaza. On August 22nd, 2011, the President issued a presidential decree postponing local elections until suitable conditions arise that allow for the conduct of elections in all governorates.