Press Release Issued by the Civil Coalition for Election Monitoring
Press Release Issued by the Civil Coalition for Election Monitoring
The Civil Coalition for Election Monitoring is closely following the developments of the electoral process in local authorities, which has recently entered the campaign phase, under political and legal circumstances that require serious consideration and a sense of national responsibility.
The Coalition believes that the exclusionary condition it had previously warned against, namely, requiring candidates to endorse the Palestine Liberation Organization and its political program as a prerequisite for candidacy, has negatively impacted the level of competition in these elections.
This is clearly reflected in the large number of councils decided by acclamation, including major local authorities such as Nablus and Ramallah, in addition to other councils where no candidates have registered at all. This undermines the core of the democratic process, which is based on pluralism and competition.
The Coalition also expresses concern regarding the provisions of the new Local Authorities Elections Law of 2025, which grants the minister the authority to appoint councils in cases where elections are not held. The Coalition believes that this approach limits opportunities for political participation and weakens incentives for competition, especially when compared to the previous law, which allowed for an additional round of elections before resorting to appointments, and only after repeated failure of candidate registration.
In a related context, the Coalition views with disapproval the participation of official figures and public officials, some in official security uniforms, in electoral rallies and gatherings. This constitutes a clear violation of the principle of neutrality of official institutions as stipulated by law, which requires all state institutions to maintain full neutrality throughout all stages of the electoral process.
While affirming the importance of ensuring the success of the electoral process, the Coalition hopes that these elections will witness the broadest possible participation of voters, thereby enhancing their legitimacy and credibility. It also calls for amendments to the law to ensure the organization of an additional round of elections, allowing local authorities where no candidate lists were submitted to participate, and that this round should also include additional local authorities from the Gaza Strip.
The Coalition looks forward to the momentum generated by the local elections serving as a serious entry point toward resuming the comprehensive democratic process, through organizing a referendum on the draft interim constitution, leading to general presidential and legislative elections that meet citizens’ aspirations and strengthen the foundations of the democratic system.
13/4/2026
• The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR)
• Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections (Al-Marsad)
• Jerusalem Legal Aid Center
• Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Judiciary (MUSAWA)
• Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development
• Center for the Defense of Freedoms and Civil Rights
• AMAN Coalition
• Civil Committee for Election Monitoring
• Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”
• Civil Coalition for Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law (Istiqlal)
• Al-Haq
• Civil Society Studies Center (CIVITAS)
• Bisan Center for Research and Development
• Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy Issues
• Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH)
• Palestinian Youth Media and Activation Organization (PYALARA)
• Women’s Studies Center
• Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
• Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
• Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development (REFORM)
• Union of Palestinian NGOs
• Palestinian Medical Relief Society
• Future Youth Association
• Cultural Forum
• Workers Unity Association
• Mothers’ School
• Social Relief Society
• Al-Ghad Foundation
• Al-Awda Center
• Wasel Center