The Palestinian Central Elections Commission is continuing preparations for the parliamentary elections planned in the Gaza Strip. Jamil al-Khalidi, the commission’s regional director for Gaza, announced that more than 100 polling centers would be prepared in the region ahead of the November 28 elections.
Speaking after a meeting in Khan Younis, Khalidi said work was continuing to ensure the elections could be held logistically and technically despite existing obstacles.
The elections will cover three Palestinian areas
The planned election process will include the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in addition to the Gaza Strip. Khalidi said a political decision had been made to hold the elections in the three Palestinian areas as part of the same process.
Applications for candidacy are expected to be accepted soon for 12 days. One center will be opened in Deir al-Balah for applications from the Gaza Strip, while another will be opened in al-Bireh for applications from the West Bank.
More than 800 centers will be established across Palestine
Under the election preparations plan, more than 800 polling centers will be established throughout the Palestinian territories. The number of eligible voters will be determined on the basis of the Population Registration System, and the number of voters in Gaza is expected to exceed 1 million.
The elections commission is developing alternative solutions for requirements such as ballot boxes, ballot papers and election ink. Khalidi said some materials were planned to be produced within the Gaza Strip so that the elections could be held on time.
Accessible locations will be identified for displaced voters
Election officials are visiting areas where displaced people are staying and working to establish polling centers in locations that voters can easily reach.
Journalist Ula Abu Muammar said Palestinians had been deprived of elections for nearly 20 years. Abu Muammar said the generation of the 1990s would experience a comprehensive election for the first time, adding that the meeting was useful for monitoring the election process and accrediting members of the press.
Election decision issued on July 9
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decided in a decree issued on July 9 that parliamentary elections would be held on November 28 in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The planned elections are expected to be the first general elections held since 2006.
