Since the political division in 2007, the Palestinian political system has suffered from the absence of a rotation of power, and the marginalization of entire generations from their right to political participation guaranteed in the Palestinian Basic Law and the basic human rights agreements to which Palestine has acceded, as elections constitute one of the pillars of this right, it serves as the gateway to activating the values of integrity, transparency, and the transfer of power as a basis for good governance. Despite the negative aspects of the electoral system for local bodies that have reinforced tribalism over the past years, marginalizing the role of youth, and diminishing the role of women in local bodies, the demand for holding local body elections in all regions is urgent. According to the requirements of the Local Bodies Council Elections Law, it is a demand agreed upon by civil society with all its components, including parties, political forces, unions, institutions, and activists, as a democratic tool for change that preserves civil peace and contributes to the governance of the Palestinian political system.

Over the past few months, civil society and civil society organizations have made unremitting efforts to hold local body elections in accordance with the requirements of the local body council election law, provided that they are held in all local bodies in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip on the same day. Most of the forces, political parties, and institutions have agreed Civil society and civil society work on the necessity of not dividing the holding of local body elections. In violation of the requirements of the law and the national interest, and considering the elections of local bodies as an entry point, behavior and approach upon which to build the elections for the National Council, the Legislative Council and the Presidency, and the necessity of holding them in one stage, including all governorates, and holding a national dialogue about them.

The Council of Ministers’ decision is to hold the election of local body councils in two stages. The first will take place on 12/11/2021 only in the West Bank governorates for village and municipal councils classified (C), with the second stage taking place on 3/26/2021 in the West Bank governorates for local bodies classified (A). b) and the governorates of the Gaza Strip for the bodies classified (A, B, C), in violation of the requirements of the Local Bodies Council Elections Law, and in violation of its amendments issued pursuant to a decree law, which required the existence of an impossibility in holding the elections so that they could be conducted in stages, and civil society organizations believe that the government will continue with its decision. Holding the elections in two stages, despite specifying the date for holding the second stage, expresses a partisan political view that favors a particular group, very far from considerations of the comprehensive national interest, and the real practice of political participation and elections as a basis for good governance and the transfer of power.

Civil society organizations emphasize the necessity of providing a sound electoral climate and environment, in which male and female citizens exercise their right to nominate, elect, express their opinion, and conduct all activities related to the elections with absolute freedom in accordance with what is guaranteed by the Basic Law. They believe that the current electoral environment and atmosphere is an atmosphere that continues to ruminate on a state of militancy and incitement. The policy of arrests and summonses of activists by the security services on the grounds of union work and political activity is still in place, making the electoral environment an unhealthy environment that greatly affects the course of the electoral process and its results.

Civil society organizations still see the Central Elections Commission as a major guarantor of the integrity of the electoral process in terms of procedures for registration, candidacy, and elections in accordance with what is required by laws and regulations. The Commission still enjoys the respect and trust of the majority of sectors of Palestinian society, for the national roles it has played that have been distinguished over the past years by their impartiality. Transparency and openness to the forces and civil society, which makes it a focus of attention at every stage of democratic practice in the Palestinian situation, and requires it to continue the same approach with regard to all stages of the electoral process.

Civil society organizations affirm their position on the necessity of holding local body elections in accordance with the requirements of the law, and believe that time is still available for the government, political forces and parties to stop the first stage, not to divide the elections, and to hold them in one day and in all governorates, with the specific date for holding the second stage being the day To hold elections for all local body councils and in all governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, provided that this date is preceded by a dialogue between all political and societal forces in the West Bank and Gaza regarding holding elections in one stage, and that civil society organizations will continue their efforts towards this goal.

Civil society organizations emphasize that the right to elect, run, and vote are fundamental rights, which must be fully respected by all parties to the electoral process, including the lists participating in the elections, whether they belong to political parties or independent, as well as the authorities charged with enforcing the law, on which it is imposed. The law is non-interference in the electoral process at all its stages. It also emphasizes the need for political parties to respect the law and not interfere in the electoral process in any way, and to provide an electoral environment in which male and female citizens exercise all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the law. The institutions also emphasize the right of every civil society organization. In choosing the appropriate method for following up and monitoring local body elections in all their stages.

Concluded.