Palestinian legislative elections face delay, official says

Fatah secretary-general Jibril Rajoub said on September 10 that Palestinian legislative elections due on November 28 would not be held on time, and called for presidential elections to be held first.

Rajoub told reporters in Ramallah that elections should follow a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue on how to conduct them. He said presidential elections would be easier, less costly and could be held by consensus.

The nomination period for the legislative vote is scheduled to begin on September 26 and end on October 7. Rajoub said no “serious” lists had so far been formed.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree-law in June calling for presidential elections in early 2027. The last Palestinian legislative elections were held in 2006, when Hamas won. The Palestinian Legislative Council has not met since 2007, and Abbas has ruled by decree since remaining in office beyond the end of his term in 2009.

Fatah rivals including Hamas and the Democratic Reform Current have said they aimed to create joint lists for the election. Holding elections is among reforms sought by international backers of the Palestinian Authority, including the European Union.