The Central Elections Commission (CEC) was established by a presidential decree issued on April 1, 2005.

Following the resignation of Commissioners Dr. Mohammad Shubair and Ms. Lamis Al-Alami on August 27, 2005, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on November 20, 2007 appointing Judge Sa'adah Fawzi al-Dajani and Advocate Hussain Ibrahim Shabanah as CEC Commissioners.

Following the resignation of Advocate Hussein Shabaneh, Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on February 23, 2008 on the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Nasr as a new Commissioner to the CEC.

President Abbas issued a decree in 2009 on the reconfirmation of the Central Elections Commission. Another decree was issued .

The President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on April 1, 2024, regarding the reformation of the Central Elections Committee.

Below is a list of the CEC Commissioners:

Following the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority in 1993, the first elections commission was formed to administer the first Palestinian Presidential and Legislative elections in 1996. At that time, the Elections Commission was still part of the PNA.

The First Central Elections Commission (CEC) was formed under Presidential decree No. 1 of 1995 issued on 21 December 1995 pursuant to the provisions of article 23 of the Palestinian elections law No 13, issued on 7 December 1995. The Law considered the CEC a supreme body entitled of administering and supervising elections and responsible for election preparations, organization and undertaking all necessary measures to ensure elections integrity and freedom. According to the decree, the CEC was comprised of:

1. Mahmouud Abbas (Abu Mazen) - Chairman

2. Mr. Ali Safarini

3. Ms. Lamis Al-Alami

4. Dr. Gabi Batamki

5. Dr. Monther Salah

6. Advocate Tawfiq Abu Ghazaleh

7. Dr. Mohammad Shtayeh

8. Advocate Ibrahim Lada

9. Dr. Riyad Al-Khudari

10. Dr. Hasan Abu Libdeh

With the above composition, the CEC organized the first Palestinian Presidential and Legislative Elections on 20 January 1996.

On 5 March 1996, the permanent Elections Commission was formed under presidential decree No. 3 of 1996 as follows:

Mr. Mahmoud Abbas- Chairman

Commissioners:

1. Advocate Tawfiq Abu Ghazaleh

2. Dr. Gabi Baramki

3. Advocate Ibrahim Al-Saqa

4. Dr. Monther Salah

5. Mr. Ali Safarini

6. Dr. Mohammad Shtayeh

7. Ms. Lamis Al-Alami

8. Dr. Riyad Al-Khudari