Next Palestinian legislative election

{{Infobox legislative election

| election_name = Next Palestinian legislative election

| country = Palestine

| ongoing = yes

| previous_election = 2006

| previous_year = 2006

| election_date = TBD

| next_election =

| seats_for_election = All 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council

| majority_seats = 67

| turnout =

| leader1 = Khaled Mashal

| party1 = Hamas

| current_seats1 = 73

| seats1 =

| percentage1 =

| leader2 = Mahmoud Abbas{{efn|Abbas currently serves as President of the Palestinian National Authority, and President of the State of Palestine.}}

| party2 = Fatah

| current_seats2 = 43

| seats2 =

| percentage2 =

| leader3 = Ahmad Sa'adat{{efn|Sa'adat is currently detained in Israel.}}

| party3 = Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

| current_seats3 = 3

| seats3 =

| percentage3 =

| leader4 = Mustafa Barghouti

| party4 = Palestinian National Initiative

| current_seats4 = 2

| seats4 =

| percentage4 =

| leader5 = Salam Fayyad

| party5 = Third Way (Palestinian political party)

| current_seats5 = 2

| seats5 =

| percentage5 =

| leader6 = Nayef Hawatmeh{{efn|Hawatmeh currently lives in exile in Syria.}}

| party6 = Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

| current_seats6 = 1{{efn|As a member of The Alternative.}}

| seats6 =

| percentage6 =

| leader7 = Bassam Al-Salhi

| party7 = Palestinian People's Party

| current_seats7 = 1{{efn|As a member of The Alternative.}}

| seats7 =

| percentage7 =

| leader8 = –

| party8 = Independents

| current_seats8 = 4

| seats8 =

| percentage8 =

| map = Palestine election map.PNG

| map_size =

| map_caption = Election districts

| title = Prime Minister

| before_election = Mohammad Mustafa

| before_party = Fatah

| after_election =

| after_party =

}}{{Politics of Palestine}}

The next legislative elections in Palestine have been repeatedly postponed or cancelled. Most recently it was scheduled for 22 May 2021 according to a decree by President Mahmoud Abbas on 15 January 2021, but was indefinitely postponed on 29 April 2021.{{cite news|title=Abbas delays Palestinian parliamentary polls, blaming Israel|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/30/palestinians-polls-hamas-plo|work = Aljazeera|date= April 30, 2021|access-date= April 30, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-elections-delayed-says-president-mahmoud-abbas-2021-04-29/|title=Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, blaming Israel|date=29 April 2021|website=Reuters|quote=Facing this difficult situation, we decided to postpone the date of holding legislative elections until the participation of Jerusalem and its people is guaranteed.}}

Background

{{see also| elections in Palestine | 2006 Palestinian legislative election | label2 = 2006 election | Fatah–Hamas conflict | Fatah–Hamas reconciliation process | label4 = reconciliation process }}

Mahmoud Abbas was elected President of the Palestinian National Authority on 9 January 2005 for a four-year term that ended on 9 January 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3639210,00.html|title=Report: Abbas won't run for another term|work=Ynetnews |date=16 December 2008 |last1=Nahmias |first1=Roee }} The last elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were held on 25 January 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://www.elections.ps/pdf/Final_Results_PLC_Summary_Lists_Seats_2_En.pdf|title=The Final Results for the Electoral Lists|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029054121/http://www.elections.ps/pdf/Final_Results_PLC_Summary_Lists_Seats_2_En.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2008|date=29 October 2008}} There have not been any elections either for president or for the legislature since these two elections. Elections since these dates have only been for local offices.

In February 2007, Saudi-sponsored negotiations led to the Hamas & Fatah Mecca Agreement signed by Mahmoud Abbas on behalf of Fatah and Khaled Mashal on behalf of Hamas to form a unity government. The new government was called on to achieve Palestinian national goals as approved by the Palestine National Council, the clauses of the Basic Law and the National Reconciliation Document (the "Prisoners' Document") as well as the decisions of the Arab summit.{{cite news|title=The Palestinian National Unity Government|url=http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/inss022407.htm|access-date=June 4, 2010|date=February 24, 2007}}

In March 2007, the PLC established a national unity government, with 83 representatives voting in favour and three against. Government ministers were sworn in by Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, at a ceremony held simultaneously in Gaza and Ramallah. In June that year, renewed fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah.{{cite news |last=Rose|first=David|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804|title=The Gaza Bombshell|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011}} In the course of the June 2007 Battle of Gaza, Hamas exploited the near total collapse of Palestinian Authority forces in Gaza and seized[https://web.archive.org/web/20100805203522/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf The "Gaza War"] (PDF). Retrieved on August 21, 2010. control of Gaza, ousting Fatah officials. President Mahmoud Abbas then dismissed the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government{{cite news|last=McGirk|first=Tim|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1632614,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616055331/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1632614,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2007|title=What Happens After Hamas Wins? |magazine=Time |date=June 13, 2007|access-date=August 2, 2011}} and outlawed the Hamas militia.{{cite news|title=Abbas forms cabinet, outlaws Hamas militias|author=Daraghmeh, M.|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/06/17/abbas_forms_cabinet_outlaws_hamas_militias.html|newspaper=The Star|date=June 17, 2007|access-date=June 7, 2013}}

In September 2007, President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah unilaterally changed the electoral laws of 2005 from the PLC being half proportionally elected and half constituency/first past the post-based to full proportional representation.{{Cite web |url=http://www.elections.ps:90/admin/pdf/Election_Law_(2007-Sept_02)-EN.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323034730/http://www.elections.ps:90/admin/pdf/Election_Law_(2007-Sept_02)-EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2012 |title=Presidential decree pertaining the general elections }} He insisted he could issue the change by decree as long as the PLC was unable to convene. The move was seen as a bid to lessen the chances of Hamas in the next election. Hamas, which controlled the PLC, declared the move illegal.{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6253192.html|title=Abbas insists on amended electoral law|work=Xinhua|date=3 September 2007}}

By 2010, the security and economic situation of the residents of Gaza had deteriorated dramatically.{{cite web|author=John Pike|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/hamas.htm|title=Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement)|publisher=Globalsecurity.org|access-date=May 27, 2010}} With financial backing from Iran,Mohsen Saleh, [https://books.google.com/books?id=LGVkCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA198 The Palestinian Strategic Report 2006,] Al Manhal, 2007 p. 198.Jodi Vittori, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ra_GAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA193 Terrorist Financing and Resourcing,] Palgrave Macmillan, 2011 pp. 72–74, 193 notes 50, 51. Hamas had used its position in Gaza to launch thousands of rockets at Israel.{{sfn|Cordesman|2002|p=326}}{{sfn|Clauset|Heger|Young|Gleditsch|2010|pp=6-33}} Hamas had long expressed interest in taking control of the West Bank and strengthening its foothold in the area{{sfn|Mattar|2005|p=196}}{{sfn|Milton-Edwards|Farrell|2013|pp=7-8}} and stated its intent to use the elections as a means to undermine the stability of the Palestinian Authority.{{cite web|url= https://ecfr.eu/publication/gazas_fragile_calm_the_search_for_lasting_stability/|title=Gaza's fragile calm: The search for lasting stability|date=8 November 2018|work=European Council on Foreign Relations}}

=Attempts to resolve election issue=

In September 2008, it was suggested that Abbas' term be extended one year or that the PLC be dissolved a year early in order to hold both elections at the same time.{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6492896.html|title=Palestinian FM: Abbas' term could be extended|work=Xinhua|date=4 September 2008}} Hamas objected to holding simultaneous elections, arguing that the presidential election should have been held in January 2009 and the parliamentary elections in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4AA68W20081111|title=Abbas urges vote to heal rift with Hamas|work=Reuters|date=12 November 2008}} Hamas also claimed that the Speaker of the PLC, Aziz al-Dewik, a Hamas member, became the Palestinian president after Abbas' term ended on 9 January 2009 until the holding of new elections.{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6546076.html|title=Hamas: PLC Speaker to replace Abbas in January|work=Xinhua|date=3 December 2008}}

Fatah argued that elections should have been held in January 2010 since the Palestinian election law calls for presidential and legislative council elections to be held simultaneously, four years after the date of the later. Since the legislative council elections were held in 2006 (a year after the presidential election) new elections for both should have been held in January 2010.{{cite web|url=http://reut-blog.org/2008/09/25/palestinian-elections-2009-hamas-fatah/|title=When are the next Palestinian Elections|work=Reut Institute Blog|date=25 September 2009|access-date=11 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625082052/http://reut-blog.org/2008/09/25/palestinian-elections-2009-hamas-fatah/|archive-date=25 June 2018|url-status=dead}} In reconciliation talks held in March 2009 in Cairo, Egypt, Hamas and Fatah agreed to hold the elections by 25 January 2010.{{cite web|author=|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6614692.html|title=Palestinian factions agree to hold elections by January 2010 - People's Daily Online |publisher=English.people.com.cn|access-date=17 November 2013}}

In February 2010, local government elections were called in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for July 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Papers/2010/Palestinian-Local-Elections-2010.aspx|title=Palestinian Local Elections 2010|publisher=IFES|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203220519/http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Papers/2010/Palestinian-Local-Elections-2010.aspx|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=dead}} The West Bank Palestinian government decided to postpone the elections, arguing that it wanted to safeguard "national unity".{{cite web|last=Abu|first=Khaled|url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=199255&R=R1 |title=PA High Court: Municipal elections can't be delayed|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=8 June 2011 |access-date=17 November 2013}} In December 2010, the Palestinian High Court of Justice ruled that once the cabinet calls elections it does not have authority to cancel them.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Papers/2010/Palestinian-High-Court-Cancelling-Elections-is-Illegal.aspx|title=Palestinian High Court: "Cancelling Elections is Illegal"|publisher=IFES|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018165635/http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Papers/2010/Palestinian-High-Court-Cancelling-Elections-is-Illegal.aspx|archive-date=18 October 2013|url-status=dead}} After being postponed several times, the local government elections took place in October and November 2012 and covered only the West Bank. Presidential and parliamentary election to the Palestinian Authority were postponed several times because of intra-Palestinian political disputes between Fatah and Hamas{{cite web|url=http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=15161 |title=Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA - Palestinian National Elections Before September, Says PLO Executive Committee|access-date=17 November 2013}} from the original date of 17 July 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Hamas+vows+boycott+Palestinian+elections/4247649/story.html|title=Hamas vows to boycott Palestinian elections|date=14 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214151351/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Hamas+vows+boycott+Palestinian+elections/4247649/story.html|archive-date=14 February 2011}}

In February 2011, following the resignation of Saeb Erekat as chief negotiator with Israel for the Israeli–Palestinian peace process following the release of the Palestine Papers,{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011212135152355248.html |title=Erekat quits over Palestine Papers |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=13 February 2011 |access-date=23 April 2014}} which were harshly critical of the PLO's concessions, the PLO Executive Committee announced intentions to hold elections before October. Abbas's followed the announcement with calls for "the spirit of change in Egypt" to inspire Palestinian unity. His aide Yasser Abed Rabbo said: "The Palestinian leadership decided to hold presidential and legislative elections within September. It urges all the sides to put their differences aside."

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said that Abbas didn't have the legitimacy to make the electoral call. "Hamas will not take part in this election. We will not give it legitimacy. And we will not recognize the results."{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011213772175689.html|title=Abbas calls for Palestinian polls - Middle East|publisher=Al Jazeera English|access-date=17 November 2013}}

In October 2011, Abbas sent a proposal to Hamas for another general election, preferably to be held in early 2012. It was suggested that Hamas would be more willing to participate in another election following the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange which boosted Hamas' standing in Gaza.{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/19/c_131201078.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020152114/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/19/c_131201078.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2011|title=Abbas to present Hamas general elections offer}} In November 2011, an election date on 4 May 2012 was preliminarily agreed on.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/11/15/142352059/official-rivals-fatah-hamas-agree-on-elections |title=Official: Rivals Fatah, Hamas Agree On Elections |agency=Associated Press |publisher=National Public Radio |date=15 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117212940/http://www.npr.org/2011/11/15/142352059/official-rivals-fatah-hamas-agree-on-elections |archive-date=17 November 2011}} However, due to further bickering, the election could not be held by that date.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/palestinian-elections-delayed-by-hamas-fatah-bickering|title=Palestinian elections delayed by Hamas-Fatah bickering|publisher=The National|date=9 March 2012|access-date=17 November 2013}}

On 20 December 2013, Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority to form a six-month national unity government that would finally hold the long-delayed general election.[http://www.ansa.it/ansalatina/notizie/fdg/201312201622446926/201312201622446926.html Llamado Hamas a Abbas por gobierno unitario] Ansa, 20 December 2013 {{in lang|es}} Following the upgrade of the UN status of Palestine to non-member observer state, it was proposed that general state elections would follow in 2013, in line with unity talks of Fatah and Hamas. In April 2014, agreement was reached between Fatah and Hamas to form a unity government, which happened on 2 June 2014, and for general elections to take place within 6 months of the agreement.

Elections had previously been scheduled for April and October 2014 in accordance with the Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement of April 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20140423-fatah-hamas-agree-palestinian-unity-government/ |title=Fatah, Hamas agree to form Palestinian unity government |newspaper=France 24|date=23 April 2014|access-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424015211/http://www.france24.com/en/20140423-fatah-hamas-agree-palestinian-unity-government/|archive-date=24 April 2014|url-status=dead}} However the elections were then delayed indefinitely.{{cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/10/palestine-presidential-parliamentary-elections-on-hold.html|title=Palestinian elections on hold until further notice|newspaper=Al Monitor|date=28 October 2014|access-date=3 November 2014}} In October 2017, Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation deal in which Hamas agreed to dissolve the unity government in Gaza and hold general elections by the end of 2018,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-talks/palestinian-factions-agree-to-hold-general-election-by-end-2018-idUSKBN1DM2H4|title=Palestinian factions agree to hold general election by end-2018|date=22 November 2017|access-date=18 June 2018|work=Reuters|author1=Nidal al-Mughrabi|author2=Nadine Awadalla}} but the elections again were not held. Mahmoud Abbas announced on 26 September 2019 in a speech at the UN General Assembly that he intended to set a date for elections once he returned to the West Bank.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-abbas-says-he-will-announce-first-palestinian-elections-since-2006-1.7912929|title=Abbas Says He Will Announce First Palestinian Elections Since 2006|date=26 September 2019|access-date=26 September 2019|work=Haaretz|author=Jack Khoury}} Hamas responded by indicating that it was ready to hold "comprehensive and general elections",{{cite news|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/27/c_138426210.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927052555/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/27/c_138426210.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2019|title=Hamas says ready to join general, comprehensive elections|date=27 September 2019|work=Xinhua}} but on 6 November, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rejected Abbas's terms for holding elections, which required candidates to recognize the agreements signed by the PLO to be able to run.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hamas-and-Islamic-Jihad-reject-Abbas-terms-for-Palestinian-elections-607010|title=Hamas and Islamic Jihad reject Abbas's terms for Palestinian elections|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=6 November 2019|access-date=6 November 2019|author=Rossella Tercatin}}

Suspension

On 11 November 2019, Abbas said that there would be no new Palestinian elections unless they include East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Abbas-No-elections-without-Gaza-Jerusalemmartyrs-are-not-terrorists-607519|title=Abbas: No elections without Gaza, Jerusalem; 'martyrs' are not terrorists|date=11 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019|author=Khaled Abu Toameh}} On 26 November 2019, Hamas confirmed that it had agreed with the Palestinian Central Elections Commission to participate in elections and that Hamas would not accept the exclusion of Jerusalem under any circumstances.{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191127-hamas-agrees-to-the-plan-for-holding-palestinian-elections/|title=Hamas agrees to the plan for holding Palestinian elections|date=27 November 2019|publisher=Middle East Monitor|access-date=27 November 2019}} Abbas announced in early December that elections would take place in a few months.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Palestinian-Authority-Mahmoud-Abbas-announces-elections-610420|title=Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas announces elections|date=10 December 2019|work=The Jerusalem Post|author=Staff writer|author-link=Staff writer}} On 10 December 2019, the Palestinian Authority asked Israel to allow East Jerusalem residents to vote in the planned elections, a request that Israeli officials said would now go to the security cabinet.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-palestinians-ask-israel-to-let-east-jerusalem-residents-vote-in-pa-election-1.8255238|title=Palestinians Ask Israel to Let East Jerusalem Residents Vote in PA Election |publisher=Haaretz|date=10 December 2019|access-date=11 December 2019|author1=Jack Khoury|author2=Noa Landau}} In 2020, Fatah and Hamas agreed on elections between February and March 2021.{{cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/24/fatah-hamas-say-deal-reached-on-palestinian-elections|title=Fatah, Hamas say deal reached on Palestinian elections|date=24 September 2020|access-date=24 September 2020|work=Al Jazeera}}

On 14 March 2021, a Palestinian Authority official said Arab residents of Jerusalem would participate in the Palestinian general elections. However, a senior Israeli government official said that no decision had yet been taken. Abbas and other Palestinian officials had in the past said there would be no elections without the participation of Arab residents of Jerusalem.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/pa-jerusalem-arabs-to-participate-in-palestinian-elections-661979|title=Palestinian Authority: Jerusalem Arabs to participate in PA Elections|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=14 March 2021 }} The EU requested permission from Israel to observe the elections in Jerusalem but according to a European Commission spokesperson on 19 April 2021, "Despite continuous contact with the Israeli authorities, over the past seven weeks, a reply granting access has yet to be received."{{cite news |title=Israel risks derailing EU election mission to Palestine|url=https://euobserver.com/world/151594|publisher=euobserver.com News|date=April 20, 2021|access-date=April 20, 2021}} Cancelling the elections, even if over Jerusalem, carries risks for Abbas.{{cite news |title=Explainer: Jerusalem dispute could derail Palestinian vote|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/explainer-jerusalem-dispute-could-derail-palestinian-vote-east-jerusalem-mahmoud-abbas-palestinians-palestinian-hamas-b1833812.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/explainer-jerusalem-dispute-could-derail-palestinian-vote-east-jerusalem-mahmoud-abbas-palestinians-palestinian-hamas-b1833812.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|agency=Associated Press|date=April 19, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}} On 21 April 2021, presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh emphasized "the leadership’s commitment to conducting Palestinian elections in accordance with the presidential decrees and the specified dates."{{cite news |title=Presidential spokesman: The leadership is committed to holding elections as per presidential decrees|url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/124155|publisher=WAFA |date=April 21, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}} On 29 April 2021, ahead of a scheduled leadership meeting{{Cite web|url=http://wafa.ps/Pages/Details/124246|title=President Abbas to chair a leadership meeting tonight to discuss the latest with elections|website=WAFA Agency}} Hamas had rejected the idea of postponing elections and refused to attend the meeting amid speculation that Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party would seek to delay or cancel them. Hamas said voting in East Jerusalem does not need Israeli permission.{{Cite web|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2021/4/29/hamas-warns-against-expected-postponement-of-palestinian-elections|title=Hamas warns against expected postponement of Palestinian elections|first=The New Arab|last=Staff|website=alaraby|date=29 April 2021 }}

In the lead up to the election, Fatah split into three candidate lists for the election: an official list of candidates backed by Abbas, a list led by a leader of the First and Second Intifada Marwan Barghouti, and a list led by former Fatah security official Mohammad Dahlan.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-slams-abbass-decision-to-delay-palestinian-vote-as-a-coup/ |title=Hamas slams Abbas's decision to delay Palestinian vote as a 'coup' |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |website=toisr |date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430012358/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-slams-abbass-decision-to-delay-palestinian-vote-as-a-coup/ |archive-date=30 April 2021}} Opinion polling gave Abbas's list a quarter of the total vote, with the two Fatah breakaway lists a little short of a quarter between them.{{cite press release |url=https://www.pcpsr.org/en/node/837 |title=Public Opinion Poll No (79) |publisher=Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research |date=23 March 2021 |access-date=5 November 2023}}

Announcing a postponement on Palestinian TV, Abbas said on 29 April: "Facing this difficult situation, we decided to postpone the date of holding legislative elections until the participation of Jerusalem and its people is guaranteed."{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-elections-delayed-says-president-mahmoud-abbas-2021-04-29/|title=Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, blaming Israel|date=29 April 2021|website=Reuters}}

=Reactions=

The leaders of the two alternative Fatah candidate lists, Marwan Barghouti and Mohammad Dahlan, stated that Abbas was most concerned about the possibility of defeat by the breakaway Fatah factions or by Hamas.

Hamas said "We received with regret the Fatah [group] and Palestinian Authority’s decision represented through its chairman, Mr Mahmoud Abbas, to disrupt the Palestinian elections." and called the step a "a coup against the path of national partnership and consensus."{{cite news|title='A coup': Palestinian factions slam parliamentary poll delay|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/30/palestinian-factions-reject-abbas-decision-to-delay-polls|work=Aljazeera|date=30 April 2021|access-date=30 April 2021}}

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said "The decision to postpone the planned Palestinian elections, including the legislative elections originally scheduled for 22 May, is deeply disappointing," that "We strongly encourage all Palestinian actors to resume efforts to build on the successful talks between the factions over recent months. A new date for elections should be set without delay." and "We reiterate our call on Israel to facilitate the holding of such elections across all of the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem."{{cite news|title=EU's Borrell slams Palestinian poll delay|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2021/4/30/eus-borrell-slams-palestinian-poll-delay|work=TheNewArab@date= 30 April 2021|access-date=30 April 2021}}

United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said in a statement "The holding of transparent and inclusive elections throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in East Jerusalem as stipulated in prior agreements remains essential for renewing the legitimacy and credibility of Palestinian institutions and opening the path to re-establishing Palestinian national unity. This will also set the path toward meaningful negotiations to end the occupation and realize a two-state solution based on UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements. Setting a new and timely date for elections would be an important step in reassuring the Palestinian people that their voices will be heard."{{cite web|title=Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,Tor Wennesland, on the postponement of Palestinian Legislative Council elections|url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/statement-by-special-coordinator-on-the-postponement-of-palestinian-legislative-council-elections/|publisher = UN|date=30 April 2021}}

A Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research opinion poll in June 2021 found that over 70% of Palestinian voters want to hold legislative and presidential elections soon, and want elections even if Israel hinders voting in East Jerusalem.{{cite press release |url=https://www.pcpsr.org/en/node/845 |title=Public Opinion Poll No (80) |publisher=Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research |date=4 July 2021 |access-date=5 November 2023}}

Arrangements for the election

The legislative election was to have been held in the areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.{{cite news |title=President Abbas enacts decree-law on holding general elections |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122864|publisher=WAFA|date=15 January 2021|access-date=15 January 2021}} Hamas welcomed the announcement,{{cite news|title=Hamas welcomes Abbas decree announcing Palestinian elections|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-election-hamas/hamas-welcomes-abbas-decree-announcing-palestinian-elections-idUSKBN29K2GU |publisher=Reuters|date=15 January 2021|access-date=15 January 2021}} as did the UN and the EU,{{Cite web |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/91501/palestine-statement-spokesperson-launching-preparations-elections_en|title=Palestine: Statement by the Spokesperson on launching the preparations for elections|website=EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission}}{{Cite web|url=http://english.pnn.ps/2021/01/17/un-spokesperson-elections-will-be-a-crucial-step-towards-palestinian-unity/|title=UN Spokesperson: Elections will be a crucial step towards Palestinian unity|date=17 January 2021|website=PNN|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118180043/http://english.pnn.ps/2021/01/17/un-spokesperson-elections-will-be-a-crucial-step-towards-palestinian-unity/|url-status=dead}} and a number of countries. Hamas, Fatah and other groups agreed on 9 February on the "mechanisms" for the elections, which includes an electoral court and commitments to open voting.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/9/palestinian-factions-agree-on-long-delayed-elections|title=Palestinian factions agree on 'mechanisms' for long-delayed polls|work=Al Jazeera|date=9 February 2021|access-date=9 February 2021}} The international community previously set conditions for the Palestinian government, following the Principles set forth in 2006 by the Quartet on the Middle East: nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements, including the Roadmap, by both sides.{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/un-system/un-system-partners/the-quartet/|title=United Nations: The Question of Palestine|work=United Nations}}

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC){{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ps/tabid/1127/language/en-US/Default.aspx|title=Presidential Decree No. ( 1 ) of 2021 On the Call for Legislative Presidential and National Council Elections|website=www.elections.ps}} was conducting the elections. CEC Chairman Hanna Nasir said in January 2021 that "about two million Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip are eligible to vote."{{cite news |title=CEC chairman: Two million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem are eligible to vote |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122871|publisher=WAFA|date=16 January 2021 |access-date=16 January 2021}} On 2 March 2021, after the expiration of the deadline for registration to vote, the CEC said that 2.6 million of the 2.8 million eligible voters in the West Bank and Gaza, 93% of the total, had registered.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/palestinian-politics-election-int-idUSKBN2AH1Q7|title=Palestinians report 93% voter registration for upcoming elections|date=17 February 2021|newspaper=Reuters}}

Lists

The March 31 midnight deadline for submissions of electoral lists saw 36 lists officially presented,{{cite news |title=36 electoral lists will compete in upcoming Palestinian vote|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/04/36-electoral-lists-will-compete-upcoming-palestinian-vote|publisher=Al.Monitor|date = April 2, 2021|access-date=April 2, 2021}} including:

Fatah, led by Mahmoud Aloul{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/4/palestine-election-board-approves-candidates-list-for-may-poll|title=Palestinian election board approves candidate lists for May vote|work=Al Jazeera|date=4 April 2021|access-date=17 April 2021}}
Freedom, headed by Nasser al-Qudwa and Fadwa Barghouti, the wife of Marwan Barghouti{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/barghouti-arafats-nephew-plan-joint-slate-for-palestinian-legislative-vote/|title=In major challenge to Abbas, Barghouti, Arafat nephew form joint slate for vote|work=The Times of Israel|author=Aaron Boxerman|date=31 March 2021|access-date=17 April 2021}}
Hamas (running as "Jerusalem is Our Promise"), led by Khalil al-Hayya
United Left, a joint list of the Palestinian People's Party and the Palestinian Democratic Union, led by Fadwa Khoder.{{Cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/united-left/|title=United Left (PPP and FIDA) – Mapping Palestinian Politics – European Council on Foreign Relations|date=31 March 2021}}
Palestinian National Initiative, led by Mustafa Barghouti{{cite web |title="المبادرة الوطنية " تعلن عن قائمتها للانتخابات التشريعية " التغيير وإنهاء الانقسام " |url=http://pnn.ps/news/578458 |website=PNN}}
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (running as "The People's Pulse").{{Cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/the-peoples-pulse-pflp/|title=The People's Pulse (PFLP) – Mapping Palestinian Politics – European Council on Foreign Relations|date=30 March 2021}}
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (running as "Democratic Change").{{Cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/democratic-change/|title=Democratic Change (DFLP) – Mapping Palestinian Politics – European Council on Foreign Relations|date=20 March 2021}}
Together We Can, led by former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad
The Future, led by Mohammed Dahlan{{Cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/future/|title=The Future (Fatah/Dahlan) – Mapping Palestinian Politics – European Council on Foreign Relations|date=29 March 2021}}

Opinion polls

A December 2020 poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) found 52% of Palestinians think elections held under the present conditions would not be fair and free.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-12-27 |title=Public Opinion Poll No (78) |url=http://pcpsr.org/en/node/829 |access-date=2021-03-10 |website=Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=15 January 2021 |title=Abbas decrees first Palestinian elections in 15 years |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/abbas-decrees-first-palestinian-elections-in-15-years-hamas-mahmoud-abbas-palestinians-gaza-city-fatah-b1788122.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/abbas-decrees-first-palestinian-elections-in-15-years-hamas-mahmoud-abbas-palestinians-gaza-city-fatah-b1788122.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |website=The Independent}} A number of obstacles to a successful election remain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/17/uncertainty-as-palestines-abbas-announces-elections|title=Uncertainty as Palestine's Abbas announces elections|website=Al Jazeera}}

An October 2021 opinion pollhttps://web.archive.org/web/20231013230100/http://www.jmcc.org/documents/Jmcc98En_M2211.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} conducted by the Jerusalem Media & Communication Centre in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation described "citizens’ thirst for legislative and presidential elections" with more than 70% saying that a new date for elections should be set while half said they had planned to participate in the postponed elections and 42% not.

=Excluding undecided voters=

700px

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;line-height:14px;"

! rowspan="2" |Polling firm

! rowspan="2" |Fieldwork Dates

! class="unsortable" style="width:60px;" |Fatah

! class="unsortable" style="width:60px;" |Hamas

! class="unsortable" style="width:60px;" |Other

! rowspan="2" |Lead

! rowspan="2" |Link

style="background:#e9e9e9;"

! class="unsortable" style="background-color:{{party color|Fatah}} " |

! class="unsortable" style="background-color:{{party color|Hamas}} " |

! class="unsortable" style="background-color:{{party color|Independent (politician)}} " |

Next Palestinian legislative election

Background

=Attempts to resolve election issue=

Suspension

=Reactions=

Arrangements for the election

Lists

Opinion polls

=Excluding undecided voters=

=Including undecided voters=

See also

Notes

References

Sources