197 local councils win uncontested in Palestinian local elections, voter turnout reaches 54%

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced on Sunday that members of 197 local councils won uncontested in municipal elections in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, with the voter turnout reaching 54 percent.

Addressing a press conference in Ramallah, the commission's head, Rami Hamdallah, said voters cast ballots on Saturday to elect representatives of 183 councils.

He added that 522,000 voters cast ballots in Saturday’s vote, with a turnout of 54 percent.

Hamdallah said the final results of the vote will be announced later Sunday.

The municipal polls took place on Saturday, the first since the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The voting in Deir al-Balah was held as it was relatively less damaged during Israel's two-year genocidal war.

The elections came amid a prolonged Palestinian political divide since 2007, highlighting their importance for local governance despite the absence of legislative and presidential elections.

* Writing by Serdar Dincel in Istanbul