Municipal Elections in West Bank’s Deir al-Balah in Gaza Strip Begins
PALESTINE – For the first time in 22 years, the Deir al-Balah municipal elections in the Gaza Strip‘s West Bank begun on Saturday, with about 1.03 million eligible voters expected to participate in 491 polling centers that include 1,922 voting stations.
The polls, which opened at 7 am (0400 GMT) local time, will be closed at 7 pm (1600GMT) in the West Bank, and at 5 pm (1400GMT) in Deir al-Balah.
The elections cover 183 municipalities in total – 90 municipal councils with 3,773 candidates competing, while 93 village councils with 1,358 candidates vying for seats.
Deir al-Balah is the least damaged cities in the enclave during Israel’s two-year genocidal war.
In a recent statement, Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said the voting marks a significant opportunity for the Palestinians to practice their democratic rights “during an exceptionally challenging period.”
“The United Nations commends the Central Elections Commission for its sustained efforts to prepare for a credible process, given the significant challenges present in the West Bank and the extraordinarily difficult conditions prevailing in Gaza,” he added.
