Accra:Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh has committed to advancing the dates for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections, contingent on conditions that ensure a fair, transparent, and credible voting process. This announcement was made on the social media platform X, following a decree by President Mahmoud Abbas, which set September 11, 2027, for both elections, superseding the previously scheduled legislative vote on November 28, 2026.
According to Anadolu Agency, al-Sheikh emphasized the Palestinian leadership's dedication to upholding the Basic Law, which includes provisions for general elections. He underscored the importance of elections in reflecting the people's will and the need for them to take place with dignity and independence.
Al-Sheikh called on the international community to push Israel to establish conditions conducive to holding elections in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. He criticized the Israeli army's actions and the presence of over 1,000 checkpoints, which he said have fragmented the West Bank and hindered Palestinian autonomy. Additionally, he demanded the cessation of Israeli actions in Gaza and the restitution of Palestinian funds, alleging they were being misappropriated.
In a separate message, al-Sheikh expressed his commitment to a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue with all factions and political forces to foster national unity. He believes such dialogue will build consensus on the conditions necessary for elections across the Palestinian territories.
President Abbas had initially issued a decree on July 9, scheduling legislative elections for November 28. The Central Elections Commission had commenced the process of accepting electoral list registrations on September 26, receiving applications from eight lists in the initial days, with registration slated to conclude on October 13. The last legislative elections in 2006 saw Hamas winning a majority, leading to a division between Hamas-controlled Gaza and the Fatah-led West Bank. The Palestinian Legislative Council ceased functioning in 2007 and was dissolved by the Supreme Constitutional Court in 2018.