Palestine begins voter registration for 2026 elections

The Palestinian Central Election Commission has launched the voter registration and information update process ahead of the general legislative elections scheduled for November 28, 2026. This marks the first such election in Palestine in 20 years.

In the West Bank, registration centers opened this morning and will remain operational until Wednesday, August 19, to allow eligible citizens to register or update their details. In the Gaza Strip, citizens will be automatically registered via the Palestinian Population Registration System. All Palestinian citizens aged 17 and older are eligible to register.

The elections, which will cover the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, follow a presidential decree signed by President Mahmoud Abbas on July 9. Following the legislative elections, a National Council will be formed, with presidential elections planned for 2027. Hamas official Husam Bedran stated that the group intends to participate in the elections within ‘the broadest possible national alliance’.