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- Jun 05, 2026, 08:31 AMPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has approved a new voting system for the Palestinian National Council elections scheduled for November. This decision marks a historic step because it will be the first time members of the council are chosen directly by the Palestinian people through public voting.
The Palestinian National Council, established in 1964, serves as the parliament of the Palestinian people and acts as the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Until now, council members were appointed by Palestinian political groups according to agreed quotas rather than through elections.
Under the new system, voters in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip will elect representatives to 200 seats. An additional 150 seats will be reserved for representatives of Palestinian refugees and communities living in other countries, ensuring broader participation from the Palestinian diaspora.
The council was created in May 1964, and shortly afterward it announced the formation of the PLO. Although no direct elections have previously been held for the council, it has long been regarded as a key institution representing Palestinians worldwide, including refugees living outside the Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Authority is facing increasing pressure to reform its political institutions. These challenges include ongoing tensions with Israel in the West Bank and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began in late 2023. Many observers believe political reforms could help strengthen Palestinian governance and representation.
The last major Palestinian election took place in 2006 when Hamas won a surprise victory over Fatah in elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. Plans for new elections were delayed in 2021 after Israeli authorities did not permit voting in East Jerusalem. Palestinian officials say the newly approved electoral system is designed to strengthen the PLO, improve representation, and restore public confidence in Palestinian institutions.
Source:
The Palestinian National Council, established in 1964, serves as the parliament of the Palestinian people and acts as the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Until now, council members were appointed by Palestinian political groups according to agreed quotas rather than through elections.
Under the new system, voters in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip will elect representatives to 200 seats. An additional 150 seats will be reserved for representatives of Palestinian refugees and communities living in other countries, ensuring broader participation from the Palestinian diaspora.
The council was created in May 1964, and shortly afterward it announced the formation of the PLO. Although no direct elections have previously been held for the council, it has long been regarded as a key institution representing Palestinians worldwide, including refugees living outside the Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Authority is facing increasing pressure to reform its political institutions. These challenges include ongoing tensions with Israel in the West Bank and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began in late 2023. Many observers believe political reforms could help strengthen Palestinian governance and representation.
The last major Palestinian election took place in 2006 when Hamas won a surprise victory over Fatah in elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. Plans for new elections were delayed in 2021 after Israeli authorities did not permit voting in East Jerusalem. Palestinian officials say the newly approved electoral system is designed to strengthen the PLO, improve representation, and restore public confidence in Palestinian institutions.
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