President Abbas Amends General Elections Law to Enhance Political Participation

On June 14, 2026, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree amending the General Elections Law No. (1) of 2007, aiming to bolster political engagement and democratic representation in Palestine.

Key Amendments

• Expansion of Legislative Council: The number of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council has been increased to 200, providing broader representation.
• Lowered Electoral Threshold: The threshold for winning seats has been reduced to 1%, facilitating the entry of smaller parties and independent candidates.
• Enhanced Women's Representation: Electoral lists are now required to include at least one woman among every three candidates, promoting gender equality in political participation.
• Youth Participation: The minimum age for candidacy in Legislative Council elections has been lowered from 28 to 23, encouraging greater involvement of young individuals in the political process.

Implications and Future Steps

These amendments are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure inclusive governance. President Abbas is expected to call for Legislative Council elections to be held concurrently with Palestinian National Council elections, further advancing the democratic process in Palestine.

For more details, visit the official announcement: President Abbas Issues Decree-Law Amending the General Elections Law