Hamas calls on Palestinians to participate in parliamentary elections

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The Hamas movement called on Palestinians to register or update their information in the voter registration system to participate in the upcoming Palestinian elections.

 

The movement announced in a statement that registration is the main gateway to "exercising the right to vote and participate in the national decision-making process and electing people's representatives in official institutions, including the Legislative Council and the Palestinian National Council."

 

The movement also emphasized that the current situation of the Palestinian issue requires expanding national participation, strengthening Palestinian unity, and establishing effective Palestinian institutions; institutions that receive their legitimacy from the free will of the people, represent their demands, and protect the rights and national interests of the Palestinians.

 

Hamas further demanded that the Palestinian national decision-making process be carried out “free from any guardianship or interference.”

 

According to the report, the Palestinian legislative elections are scheduled to be held on November 28, 2026 (Qas 1405).

 

In June, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree setting Saturday, November 28, 2026, as the date for the legislative elections in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. According to the decree, the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are called upon to participate in free and direct legislative elections to elect members of the Palestinian Legislative Council on the designated date.

 

Mahmoud Abbas also issued a bill amending Law No. 1 of 2007 on General Elections and its amendments.

 

According to this resolution, the number of members of the Palestinian Legislative Council has been increased to 200, the quorum required to win seats has been reduced to one percent, and the minimum number of candidates on each electoral list has been increased from 16 to 20 candidates.

 

The Palestinian Legislative Council was established in 1996 based on the Oslo Accords and the Declaration of Principles signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Zionist regime, and its members are elected by Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.