Palestinian Elections Expected to Be Delayed Beyond November
An official delay of the Palestinian legislative vote set for November 28 is expected from President Mahmoud Abbas. A Palestinian source said Fatah and other factions agreed to the delay, citing unpreparedness and difficult political and security conditions. The PLO Executive Committee was expected to recommend postponement to allow national dialogue, with no new date yet confirmed.
Abbas is expected to formally postpone the Nov. 28 legislative vote after Fatah and other factions backed a delay. A Palestinian source said no major faction had submitted a candidate list, and the PLO Executive Committee was due to recommend postponement to permit national dialogue. No replacement date has been confirmed.
Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh told France the vote would be delayed several months, citing worsening political, security and economic conditions. Palestinians last held presidential elections in 2005 and legislative elections in 2006, before Hamas took control of Gaza. Abbas launched reforms after Oct. 7, 2023, including a new elections commission and security changes.
The delay may deepen public frustration among Palestinians who have not voted in national elections for years, particularly younger people with no experience of parliamentary polls. It could also complicate efforts to rebuild trust in the Palestinian Authority and Fatah, while leaving Hamas and other factions with more time to negotiate. Without a firm new date, uncertainty may affect civic groups, candidates and voters preparing for a process that now appears unlikely to occur soon.