Gaza Holds First Election In Nearly 20 Years As Palestinians Head To Polls: Top 5 Things To Know

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 17:51 IST

Gaza Elections: Voting took place across the occupied West Bank and in central Gaza, where residents cast ballots for the first time since 2006.

Gaza Elections: Palestinians voted on Saturday in the first election to be held in Gaza in nearly 20 years, a rare democratic exercise seen as a test of public mood after war, political division and years without national ballots. Voting took place across the occupied West Bank and in central Gaza, where residents cast ballots for the first time since 2006.

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The vote comes after the devastating Israel-Gaza war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and hostages were taken, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that followed killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, displaced much of the population and caused widespread destruction across the enclave.

Here are five key things to know.

Gaza Votes For First Time Since 2006

The poll in Deir al-Balah marked Gaza’s first election of any kind in almost two decades. The last vote in the territory was the 2006 legislative election won by Hamas, which triggered a power struggle with Fatah.

More Than One Million Eligible Voters

According to Palestinian election officials, more than one million people across the Palestinian territories were eligible to vote. Around 70,000 voters were registered in Deir al-Balah, where 12 polling stations were due to operate.

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Hamas Barred From Contesting 

Hamas, which governs Gaza, was not allowed to run in the local election. Authorities required candidates to recognise the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Several other factions also boycotted the vote.

Fatah Expected To Gain Ground

Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and dominant within the Palestinian Authority, was the only major faction competing broadly. In several districts, rivals did not field candidates, handing Fatah an easier path to victory.

Vote Held Amid rebuilding Push

Deir al-Balah was selected as Gaza’s only voting district because it suffered less destruction than other areas during the Israel-Hamas war. The election comes during a fragile ceasefire, with many residents demanding reconstruction and stability after months of conflict.

News world Gaza Holds First Election In Nearly 20 Years As Palestinians Head To Polls: Top 5 Things To Know

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