Gaza Herald – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Saturday the cancellation of the decree for legislative elections. He simultaneously designated September 11, 2027, as the new date for conducting both presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to Quds News Network, sources revealed that Abbas made this decision after consultations with Palestinian factions and political forces. The move aims to address obstacles preventing the elections from taking place on their previous schedule.
The new presidential decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to participate in free and direct elections. These polls will elect the President of the State of Palestine and members of the Legislative Council, based on a decision by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Abbas justified the new timeline by citing continued Israeli occupation attacks, settlement expansion, and settler assaults. He also pointed to ongoing raids in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, restrictions on freedom of movement, and the continued detention of Palestinian clearance funds.
These conditions present significant challenges to preparing for the electoral process. The decree highlights the need to create necessary political, security, and field conditions to ensure the elections can be held successfully.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, the decree noted exceptional security and humanitarian circumstances. It cited the non-implementation of arrangements for deploying international stabilization forces and police under UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The text further mentioned the lack of commencement of reconstruction efforts and the incomplete withdrawal of occupation forces from the sector. These factors contribute to security, field, and logistical obstacles hindering the electoral preparations.
Israeli restrictions on access for the Central Elections Commission teams and international observers to Gaza and East Jerusalem were also highlighted. These barriers complicate the completion of preparations and guarantee the freedom of work for supervisory bodies.
The decree affirmed that setting the new date reaffirms the commitment to holding elections as a national and constitutional obligation. It seeks to realize the Palestinian people’s right to freely choose their representatives and renew democratic legitimacy.
Under the decree, the Central Elections Commission is tasked with taking necessary measures to prepare, organize, and supervise the elections. This must be done in accordance with the prevailing General Elections Law to ensure a free, fair, transparent, and comprehensive process.
Previously, Quds News Network learned that Fatah proposed raising a recommendation to President Abbas to postpone elections until a specific date before the end of next year. This proposal was intended to allow space for national dialogue among various Palestinian factions.
The network also reported on alliances and meetings between currents within Fatah to join the National Alliance. This alliance includes Hamas, the Dhalan current, Islamic Jihad, the Nasser Al-Qudwa current, Popular Committees, and independent figures.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
