Abbas postpones Palestinian elections, sets presidential poll for September 2027

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Saturday the postponement of legislative elections that were scheduled for November. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Abbas cited worsening conditions within the Palestinian territories, including Israeli measures, as the reason for cancelling the vote. He has set a new date of September 11, 2027, for both presidential and legislative elections.

In his decree, Abbas highlighted obstacles such as Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence, and movement restrictions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Israel's continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues. These factors, he stated, created challenges in preparing for and holding elections on the previously scheduled date.

The decree also pointed to "exceptional security and humanitarian conditions" in Gaza, including incomplete Israeli troop withdrawal, lack of reconstruction progress, and failure to implement arrangements for international stabilization forces. Israeli restrictions on election commission staff and international observers accessing Gaza and East Jerusalem further complicated preparations.

The Palestinian territories have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06. The decision to postpone follows a resolution by the Palestine Liberation Organisation's executive committee and consultations with various Palestinian factions and political forces. Abbas also indicated the postponement aims to allow time for a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue to strengthen unity and address challenges facing the electoral process.