Palestinian Authority postpones November legislative elections to late 2027
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday issued a decree canceling legislative elections scheduled for November 28, 2026, and setting presidential and legislative elections for September 11, 2027, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said.
In announcing the Decree, he cited Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence, restrictions on freedom of movement, and the withholding of Palestinian revenues as reasons for the election postponement.
The new decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to participate in “free and direct elections to elect the Palestinian President and members Legislative Council.
He said that the decision, followed consultations among Palestinian factions, political forces, and the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Prior to this latest move, serious doubts had emerged that the Palestinian Authority vote would go ahead next month.
Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06, after which Abbas’ rival, the Islamist group Hamas, seized control of Gaza, ousting his loyalists.
