Accreditation of International Observers and International Guests

Palestinian Local Elections – 25 April 2026

As part of its preparations for the Palestinian Local Elections scheduled for 25 April 2026, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) announces the opening of accreditation for International Observers and International Guests wishing to attend the polling day. The accreditation period will run to 20 April 2026.

First: International Observers

International observers represent international organizations, election observation missions, and specialized institutions concerned with democratic processes.

Their role includes:

• Observing all stages of the electoral process in accordance with the CEC regulations
• Assessing procedures based on international standards for elections
• Issuing independent observation reports and findings
• Accredited observers are granted access to polling centers and counting centers and are required to comply with the Observers’ Code of Conduct.

Second: International Guests

International guests include governmental officials, diplomats, and representatives of official entities who wish to attend polling day.

Guest accreditation:

• Grants access to polling centers on election day
• Does not authorize the submission of formal observation reports
• Is intended for attendance and familiarization purposes only

Application Procedures

Organizations and governmental entities wishing to obtain accreditation (observer or guest status) are invited to submit their applications online via the following link:

Apply in English

Upon preliminary approval, the designated contact person of each entity will receive an email containing:

• A secure link
• An access code

to complete the registration process and upload the required documents.

Requirements for Issuing Accreditation Cards

To issue accreditation cards, the CEC must receive the following through the online portal:

• A formal letter from the relevant organization, government, or representative office
• A final list including the full names and ID or passport numbers of all participants
• Personal photo for each participant
• A copy of the ID or passport for each participant

Code of Conduct

The CEC has established a Code of Conduct governing the work of accredited observers. All international observers and guests are required to review the Code of Conduct.

International observers are required to sign a written pledge to abide by the Code of Conduct prior to accessing polling centers

Click here to view the Code of Conduct

Polling Centers Information

The addresses of polling centers will be announced on the CEC official website.
Accredited participants are kindly requested to regularly follow the website for updates.

Contact Information

Central Elections Commission – Headquarters
Al-Bireh – Palestine
Tel: +970 2 296 9700 (Ext. 710)
Email: [email protected]

Within the frame of preparations for conducting the 2026 Local Elections, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) emphasizes the significant role of local observation bodies in enhancing the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. Independent and neutral observation is the cornerstone in building the confidence of citizens in the democratic process, which is a foundational guarantee for free and honest elections.

The CEC announces the beginning of receiving applications from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the accreditation of local observer bodies, starting Sunday, 18 January 2026, until Thursday, 16 April 2026. Applications and their annexes shall be submitted online via a dedicated portal on the CEC website.

Accreditation criteria for local observer bodies

CSOs interested in submitting an application to be accredited as a local observer body must meet the following conditions:

• Legal entity: Must be a Palestinian civil society, non-governmental, non-profit organization, officially registered at the Palestinian competent authority/ies.
• Independence and neutrality: must be administratively and financially independent, not affiliated with any political party, electoral list, candidate participating in elections or any other governmental or security institutions.

• Goals and activity: To have announced and published goals with actual activities linked to enhancing democracy, good governance, human rights or electoral observation.

   

In order to apply for accreditation of International observation body please Click here

Procedures in place of the accreditation of individual observers and observer bodies:

First: Submission of accreditation application for an observer body

Organizations interested in observing the elections shall complete the accreditation application online in addition to uploading all supportive documents.

Second: Accreditation of individual observers

Following the acceptance of an application and the accreditation of a local observer body, the CEC shall contact the representative of said organization (focal point) providing the means to add the details of its observers online.

Individual observers must meet the following criteria:

1. To be twenty years of age or older when submitting the application.
2. Not to be a candidate in the elections, a journalist accredited by the CEC, or an employee of any of the political parties, electoral lists, security forces or any other organization that might breach the principle of neutrality.
3. Not to be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Third: Cards print out and handover

Following the accreditation of observers, observer cards will be printed and handed over to accredited observers through the district coordinators. Accredited observers shall adhere to the observers’ code of conduct.

Documents and forms

For reviewing observation-related regulations, laws and documents, the following are available for download:

1. The Decree-Law No. (23) of 2025, concerning the Election of Local Authority Councils (Decree-Law concerning Local Elections)
2. The regulation for the accreditation of individual observers and local observer bodies (For viewing the regulation, click here - Arabic)
3. Individual observer and local observer body’s code of conduct (For viewing the Code of Conduct, click here - Arabic)
4. Guidelines on the role of observers in monitoring and documenting the electoral process (For viewing the guidlines, click here - Arabic)

Cases of rejecting applications, and objections

Cases where applications are rejected

The accreditation applications of local observer bodies will be rejected in the following cases:

• If the application does not meet the criteria stipulated by the law and regulations.
• If the CEC proves that submitted data is incorrect.
• If the legal period for submitting applications comes to an end before completing said applications.

Procedures followed for objections (challenges):

In case the CEC rejected or terminated the accreditation of a local observer body:

• The organization, through its chairman or focal point, may submit a challenge request in writing to the CEC within three days after receiving the notification.
• Challenger must submit all supportive documentation for review.
• The CEC shall study and adjudicate applications within three working days, and notify the challenger of its decision.
• The CEC will not respond to any requests without supportive documentation that allows for reconsideration of the application and counters the reasons for which the original application was rejected.
• Challenge requests shall be submitted using the email: [email protected]