Press Statement Issued by Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations Regarding the Decree-Law on Local Elections and Its Subsequent Amendments

1 February 2026

The undersigned civil society and human rights organizations are closely following the legislative developments related to the Law -by Decree on Local Elections, including the subsequent amendments introduced after its issuance, particularly those concerning candidacy requirements and other procedural issues related to the electoral process.

In this context, the undersigned organizations note that the recent amendments removed the requirement to declare commitment to the international obligations of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as a condition for candidacy, which constitutes a partially positive step responding to some human rights criticisms. However, these amendments have, at the same time, retained the requirement to declare commitment to the political and national platform of the PLO, a condition that continues to raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns.

The civil society and human rights organizations reaffirm, based on their longstanding position, the national and legal status of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the importance of preserving this role within the inclusive national framework. Nevertheless, making adherence to its political and national platform a prerequisite for candidacy in local elections constitutes an unjustified restriction on the right to political participation and imposes ideological conditions that contradict the essence of the democratic process, which is based on pluralism and freedom of choice.

This requirement contradicts the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees the right to political participation without discrimination, and also conflicts with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Palestine has acceded and which has become part of its binding legal obligations. The Covenant prohibits the imposition of unnecessary or disproportionate restrictions on political rights, particularly those based on political or ideological affiliation or convictions.

On the other hand, the signatory organizations express their disappointment that the subsequent amendments to the Law-by-Decree failed to respond to the core and repeated demands put forward by civil society organizations, foremost among them:

• Raising the women’s representation quota to ensure representation of no less than 30% in the final results, whether at the level of electoral lists or individual elections in village councils, in line with the principles of equality and equal opportunity, and with PLO decisions and national and international commitments related to women’s empowerment and political participation.
• Reconsidering the amounts of financial deposits required for candidacy, as they constitute an unjustified financial barrier that hinders broad participation and undermines the principle of equal opportunity, particularly for marginalized groups, youth, and women.
• Abolishing the role of the Minister of Local Government in appointing heads of councils.

While emphasizing the national and constitutional importance of holding local elections at all levels as a fundamental entry point for renewing legitimacy, strengthening local governance, and entrenching popular participation and democratic accountability, the civil society and human rights organizations welcome the decision of the Central Elections Commission to include the Gaza Strip in the upcoming local elections. We consider this a highly significant step toward unifying the political system and strengthening the unity of land and institutions.

Accordingly, the civil society and human rights organizations call on the Palestinian government to:

1. Amend the Law-by-Decree on local elections in a manner that removes any ideological conditions that undermine the essence of the right to political participation.
2. Increase women’s representation to ensure no less than 30% representation in the final results in all councils.
3. Abolish or reduce financial fees and cash deposit requirements to ensure fair access to candidacy.
4. Repeal Article 58(3), which grants the Minister of Local Government the authority to appoint heads of councils in specific cases.
5. Continue serious and transparent dialogue with civil society organizations and ensure that national consultations have a real and effective impact on legislation regulating the democratic process.

The signatory organizations affirm that reforming the legal framework governing local elections is a fundamental prerequisite for the success of the electoral process, for enhancing public trust in it, and for ensuring its consistency with human rights principles and the Palestinian Basic Law.

Signatory Organizations:

• Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR)
• Al-Haq
• Arab World Democracy and Elections Monitor
• Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”
• Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO)
• Civil Coalition for Elections
• Coalition for Integrity and Accountability – AMAN
• Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy Issues
• Thabat Center for Research and Opinion Polls
• Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development
• The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy – MIFTAH
• Palestinian Institution for Empowerment and Local Development – Reform
• Center for the Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights
• Jerusalem Legal Aid Center
• Bisan Center for Research and Development
• Civil Commission for Judicial Independence
• Civil Studies Center / Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
• Palestinian Media and Youth Development Organization (PYALARA)