Local Elections: a Tool for Building National Unity Post Conflict: A Study of the Palestinian Context

In June 2025, the Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS), issued a study that was developed under a partnership project with CSOs, in collaboration with the Central Elections Commission (CEC), and funded by the European Union (EU).

The study aimed at analyzing the potential for employing local elections as a strategic tool for rebuilding the Palestinian National Unity within the context of post political division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It aims to highlight the role of local elections in building civil peace, enhancing political participation, and the redistribution of power and authority in a way that reflects the management of community bases (foundations).

The study established that local elections could be a platform for the redistribution of power and authority in a participatory manner, through the operationalization of accountability and good governance mechanisms, building a new social contract that restores respect for citizenship and political participation, and allowing the reintegration of citizens into a joint and unified democratic space. Additionally, it may contribute to reviving the channels of dialogue and cooperation among the components of the Palestinian political system, especially with the inclusion of independent lists, and lists representing the youth and women.

Concerning the Gaza Strip, the research confirmed that the aggression makes organizing elections a complicated and complex national challenge, which requires a holistic plan for tackling the impacts of the aggression and the provision of a safe and honest environment, accompanied with exceptional legal and logistical arrangements and procedures. Moreover, it requires legal flexibility for updating the voters' registry to be in line with the status of displacement, as well as identifying alternative and safe polling centers, in order to guarantee the right of The Displaced to participation without harming the integrity of the process.

SHAMS'S study concluded that if local elections are conducted in an honest and neutral environment within a legal framework that promotes participation and transparency; it has the potential to become a central lever and pillar of the project for building a sustainable Palestinian national unity, stemming from the social base and ascending to the highest levels of government.

 To read the study in Arabic, please click here

"Causes and Justifications behind Local Authorities’ abstinence from the Electoral Process"

A research study issued by “The Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor – Al-Marsad” in October 2024 under the Partnership with CSOs 2024 project, in collaboration with the CEC and funded by the EU..

The study aims to provide a practical analysis of the reality and nature of participation in local elections, with a focus on the councils that did not submit any candidate lists, as well as councils who were appointed by acclamation more than once. Moreover, it looked into the causes and factors affecting the democratic electoral process in those local authorities using in-depth interviews, focus groups and case studies. The study recommended the amendment of the electoral system into simple majority, and subjecting the lists winning by acclamation to a referendum to be conducted on polling day.

 To read the study in Arabic, please click here

Factors affecting the formations and practices of electoral lists in Palestinian Local Authorities (2021-2022)

In September 2022, The Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) published this study, under the Partnership with CSOs 2021 project, in collaboration with the CEC and funded by the EU.

The study aims to understand the factors affecting the nature of electoral behavior of electoral lists and candidates, in addition to studying the political, social, familial, factional and economic factors affecting the electoral process. The study’s key recommendation is to facilitate a social dialogue with active key players to discuss issues related to the electoral system and law; simple majority or electoral lists, as well as eligible age for candidacy, and other issues related to acclamation, appointment and parallel elections. Furthermore, the study recommended the necessity to intensify awareness raising efforts to enhance women and youth participation in the electoral process.

 To read the study in Arabic, please click here