Palestinians vote in rare Gaza local elections
Palestinians voted in local elections on Saturday across the West Bank and in parts of the Gaza Strip, marking the first vote of any kind in Gaza since 2006. Polling took place in several locations, including Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an area less affected by recent conflict. More than one million voters were eligible, according to the Central Elections Commission, with around 70,000 registered in Deir al-Balah alone. Results were expected later in the weekend. The vote was held without participation from Hamas, which was barred from running. Several other factions also boycotted the elections due to a requirement that candidates recognise the authority of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). The PLO is dominated by Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, which currently governs parts of the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. With major opposition groups absent, Fatah […]
