Abbas postpones Palestinian elections, sets presidential poll for September 2027

RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday cancelled legislative elections scheduled for November and set September 11, 2027, as the date for both presidential and legislative elections, citing worsening conditions in the Palestinian territories, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Abbas’ decree cited “obstacles posed by Israeli measures” to holding elections in November and the need to establish suitable political, security and on-the-ground conditions for “free, fair and inclusive elections”. It called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza to participate in the polls.

There had been serious doubts that the Palestinian Authority vote would go ahead in late November. The Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06, after which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ rival, ​Hamas, seized control of Gaza, ousting his loyalists.

The decree said Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, along with Israel’s continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, created challenges to preparing for and holding elections on the previous date.

In Gaza, the decree pointed to “exceptional security and humanitarian conditions”, the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the lack of progress in reconstruction and the failure to implement arrangements for deploying international stabilisation forces and police.

Israeli restrictions on access for election commission staff and international observers to Gaza and East Jerusalem also complicated preparations, the decree said.

The decision to postpone followed a resolution by the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee and consultations with Hamas and political forces. It also aimed to allow time for a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue to strengthen unity and address challenges facing the electoral process.