Palestinian Local Elections 2011

February 2011

On Tuesday, 8 February 2011, the Palestinian Authority issued a renewed call for local elections to be held on 9 July 2011. The call follows last June’s Cabinet decision to cancel elections and the subsequent High Court ruling in December that the cancellation was, indeed, illegal.

Electoral Systems, Elections, Civil Society, Voter Registration, Election Disputes

Ruling of the Palestinian High Court on Cancelling Elections in the Territories

December 22, 2010

On December 13, 2010, the Palestinian High Court issued its final verdict on the lawsuits challenging the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) of the Palestinian Authority decision to cancel the local elections scheduled for July 17, 2010. The Court ruled that once the cabinet calls for elections, it does not have authority to cancel them.

Elections, Election Disputes

Palestinian High Court: “Cancelling Elections is Illegal”

December 16, 2010

On December 13, 2010, the Palestinian High Court issued its final verdict on the lawsuits challenging the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) of the Palestinian Authority decision to cancel the local elections scheduled for July 17, 2010. The Court ruled that once the cabinet calls for elections, it does not have authority to cancel them.

Elections, Voter Registration, Electoral Systems, Election Law

IFES and Palestinian Elections Commission Hold a Lessons Learned Conference

August 16, 2010

IFES and the Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) held a lessons learned conference to evaluate the stages of the electoral process that have already been completed in Palestine. At the event, which took place on August 8-10 at the InterContinetal Hotel in Jericho,  the CEC staff discussed issues such as voter education and logistics as well as voter registration and the nomination of candidates.

Voter Registration, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems

Palestinian Local Elections 2010

June 2010

Under the leadership of President Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Authority’s Cabinet called the 2004 local elections, managed under the authority of the Ministry of Local Government in three stages throughout 2005. However, because of operational and political challenges, local elections were held in four stages on six different dates and were never finalized; elections in over 100 councils were postponed indefinitely. In February 2010, the Cabinet called for local elections in the West Bank and Gaza for 17 July 2010.

Electoral Systems, Election Disputes, Election Procedures, Governance, Election Management

IFES Trains Local Media in the West Bank and Gaza on the Election Process

March 01, 2010

Following the Palestinian Authority's (PA) announcement that local elections will take place in the West Bank and Gaza on July 17, 2010, Aswatona in partnership with IFES and the Central Elections Committee (CEC), held an initial workshop for journalists to better understand the stages of the local elections process.

Elections, Education, Voter Registration, Public Opinion

IFES Releases Map of Palestinian Election Districts

February 19, 2010

In anticipation of the Palestinian local elections scheduled for 17 July, IFES-West Bank & Gaza has produced a map of the local election districts. The map also shows which districts will be included in elections.

Elections, Legal Framework, Election Management, Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance

IFES Chief of Party for the West Bank/Gaza on the Announcement That the 2010 Elections Will Not Be Held

November 12, 2009

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced today that they will not be able to hold the January 2010 presidential and legislative elections as called for by presidential decree.

Elections, Voter Registration, Election Management, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems

Preparing West Bank Journalists to Cover Elections

November 09, 2009

With the announcement that elections might take place on January 24, 2010 in the Palestinian territories, IFES, in cooperation with Internews and the Palestinian Central Elections Committee (CEC), hosted a one-day workshop to help local journalists improve their coverage of the poll and news related to it. On 4 November 2009, twenty-five reporters from radio, television, and electronic news agencies came from throughout West Bank to participate.

Elections, Civil Society, Public Opinion

Roadblocks to the 2010 Palestinian Elections

July 20, 2009

Statements by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah and Hamas leaders indicate that Palestinian factions have agreed to hold elections in January 2010. There are, however, various contextual challenges that make the implementation of these elections far from certain.

Elections, Legal Framework, Election Disputes, Election Law, Election Procedures