Decision by Law No () of 2012 on

The amendment of Local Council Elections Law No (10) of 2005, amended by

Law No (12) of 2005

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee

President of the Palestinian National Authority

 Having reviewed:

The amended Basic Law of 2003, especially Article 43 thereof,

Local Council Elections Law No. (10) Of 2005, amended by Law No (12) of 2005

and based on:

The powers invested in us,

and for the sake of public interest;

and in the name of the Palestinian people,

We hereby issue the following Decision by Law:

Article (1)

For the sake of the present amendment, Local Council Elections Law No (10) of 2005, amended by Law No (12) of 2005, shall be thereafter referred to as the original law.

Article (2)

Article 4 of the original law shall be cancelled and replaced with the following:

1.    Elections in all local councils shall be conducted in one day every four years by a decision issued by the Cabinet.

2.    In the event council elections could not be conducted pursuant to Article 1, the Cabinet may issue a decision to hold elections in stages as required by the public interest.

3.    a. The council term shall be four years as of election day

b.    The council which ended its term shall continue exercise its functions until elections are conducted and a new elected council assumes its responsibilities.

Article (3)

All that goes against the provisions of this decision by law shall be null.

Article (4)

The present Decision by Law shall be submitted to the PLC in its first session for approval.

Article (5)

All competent authorities, each within its own jurisdiction, shall implement this decision by law. The decision shall enter into force from the date of publishing in the Official Gazette.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on 14 May 2012

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee

President of the Palestinian National Authority