New decree reverses June expansion while retaining candidate age, women’s representation and electoral threshold reforms
RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on Tuesday restoring the Palestinian Legislative Council to 132 seats, reversing a June amendment that expanded the parliament to 200 members.
The Palestinian Central Elections Commission confirmed receiving the decree, which repeals the earlier expansion and reinstates parts of the original election law while introducing several changes recommended by the commission.
However, Abbas retained several reforms approved in June. The decree keeps the minimum age for parliamentary candidates at 23, down from 28, while requiring women to account for at least 33 percent of candidates on electoral lists.
Moreover, the electoral threshold will remain at 1 percent.
Electoral Lists Face New Requirements
The decree also preserves a requirement for electoral lists to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization as the “sole legitimate representative” of the Palestinian people and commit to its political programme and relevant international resolutions.
Meanwhile, electoral lists will receive three days to correct or complete nomination applications before the Elections Commission makes its decision.
The amendments also clarify procedures for announcing preliminary and final results and challenging decisions through appeals.
Furthermore, candidates cannot simultaneously contest presidential and parliamentary elections.
November 28 Parliamentary Election Remains Scheduled
The decree authorises election officials to establish voting procedures for people with disabilities and illiterate voters.
It also regulates voting and counting arrangements in Gaza, including verification and transmission of results between regional offices and the commission’s headquarters.
The Elections Commission said parliamentary voting remains scheduled for November 28.
In-person voter registration will begin on August 15 and continue for five days, alongside online registration.
The Palestinian Legislative Council has remained inactive since the 2007 political split between Fatah and Hamas. Abbas formally dissolved parliament in 2018.
Palestinians last held parliamentary elections in 2006, before Hamas took control of Gaza and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority retained administration over parts of the occupied West Bank.
