54% of Voters Show Up as 197 Palestinian Councils Go Uncontested in Historic Local Elections

**54% of Voters Show Up as 197 Palestinian Councils Go Uncontested in Historic Local Elections** Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip voted in local elections this weekend for the first time in 20 years, marking a key step in the region's democratic process. Around one million voters in the occupied West Bank and 70,000 in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area headed to the polls on Saturday to elect municipal councilors [133569]. The vote was the first in Gaza since before the war, and the first local election in the enclave in more than two decades [134402][133569]. Election officials reported that 197 local councils secured their seats without opposition, while voter turnout in contested areas reached 54% [133660]. The high number of uncontested councils reflects a lack of candidates in many districts, a recurring issue in local governance [133660]. Palestinian authorities called the vote a success and said it could lead to more elections in the war-torn enclave soon [134402]. Officials added that the local elections are a step toward a long-delayed presidential vote, which has not been held in 21 years [134003]. The voting process covered 90 municipal councils and 93 village councils, with 3,773 candidates from 321 lists competing for seats on the municipal councils and another 1,358 candidates running for the village councils [132997]. --- Palestinian officials hail local Gaza and West Bank elections as step toward presidential vote Gaza votes for first time in 20 years Gaza holds first election in 20 years; one million called to vote 54% of Voters Show Up as 197 Councils Win Uncontested in Palestinian Elections Palestine begins 2026 local elections voting Low Voter Turnout as West Bank and Gaza Hold First Post-War Elections