Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that legislative elections will take place on November 28, 2026, marking the first such vote in over 20 years, as reported by the official WAFA news agency on Thursday. The decree issued calls for Palestinians residing in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to engage in free and direct elections to select members for the Palestinian Legislative Council.

According to Anadolu Agency, this decision comes under Decree-Law No. 1 of 2007 concerning general elections and its amendments. The upcoming legislative elections will be the first since January 2006, a significant step in Palestinian political processes. Furthermore, WAFA noted that the announcement for presidential elections, anticipated in the first quarter of 2027, will follow in accordance with legal stipulations.

Abbas, who assumed the presidency in January 2005 for an expected four-year term, has extended his time in office to 21 years due to repeated postponements of both presidential and legislative elections.