Palestine opens candidacy registration for 2026 legislative elections

The Central Elections Commission opened candidate-list registration Saturday for the 2026 Palestinian legislative elections, simultaneously in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• The commission began accepting candidacy requests Saturday at its al-Bireh headquarters and its Deir al-Balah office in Gaza, with the process running until October 7.
• Registration is open to electoral lists only — individual applications are not accepted — with each list requiring 16 to 132 candidates and minimum women's representation under the law.
• The commission said submitted applications are reviewed for legal compliance.
• General voting is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026.
• The commission reported strong early turnout at its offices on the first day of candidate-list registration.