Jamil Al-Khalidi, the regional director of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission in Gaza, confirmed the commission’s full readiness to organize the electoral process, noting that polling stations will be open from 7 am to 5 pm local time.
Al-Khalidi explained that the elections will be held through 12 polling centers comprising 100 polling stations distributed throughout the city, which will facilitate access for voters. He pointed out that the ballot paper will include four competing lists, with the possibility of choosing one list and preferring up to five candidates from it.
Deir al-Balah was chosen to hold the elections because it was relatively the least affected compared to the rest of the Gaza Strip, despite the damage it suffered as a result of the war, which, according to official data, resulted in the martyrdom of about 72,000 Palestinians and the injury of more than 172,000, in addition to the destruction of about 90% of the infrastructure.
In light of the logistical challenges, Al-Khalidi noted that 9 out of 12 polling stations have been designated as empty land and will be equipped with alternative tents for the polling stations, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme.
Regarding the security aspect, he explained that the Palestinian police in Deir al-Balah will be responsible for securing the electoral process, including protecting the centers and transporting the ballot boxes, stressing the endeavor to conduct the elections without direct security intervention that would hinder their progress.
The committee also carried out a field and electronic awareness campaign to inform citizens about the voting mechanism, in addition to operating radio vehicles on the day of election silence to urge voters to participate.
There are 445 local authorities in Palestine, including 420 in the West Bank and 25 in the Gaza Strip, comprising 161 municipal councils and 284 local councils (smaller than a municipal council).
On November 3, 2025, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported that the Ministry of Local Government announced that municipal councils would be transformed into caretaker bodies starting from December 11, 2025, until elections are held, after the end of their four-year electoral term.
Local elections were held in the West Bank in 2021 in two phases, while the Cabinet decided to postpone holding them in the Gaza Strip "until suitable conditions are available," against the backdrop of the Palestinian division and disputes with the Hamas movement.
The Palestinian arena has remained divided politically and geographically since 2007, with the Gaza Strip controlled by a Hamas-run government, while the West Bank is run by the Palestinian government formed by the Fatah movement, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.
For many years, meetings have been held between Palestinian factions to end the division and restore national unity, without resulting in any serious practical steps to achieve their goal.
