The Civil Elections Coalition refuses to postpone the elections and warns of its repercussions

Ramallah - Ofoq News - The Civil Elections Coalition expressed its rejection of the presidential decree to postpone the elections, and its disappointment with the positions of the Palestinian factions “that provided political cover for this decision, instead of assuming their responsibilities in overcoming the obstacles to holding them.”

The coalition stressed in a statement that elections are an inherent right of citizens, and are not granted by any political party, and they may not be kept hostage to factional consensuses and political calculations, as they are a constitutional and national entitlement to renew legitimacy and enhance popular participation.

The coalition warned of the danger of the decision to postpone at this crucial stage, in light of the plans aimed at establishing the separation between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and establishing alternative bodies for the Palestinian national institutions.

The coalition said, "The elections would have constituted an important opportunity to confirm the unity of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the unity of the Palestinian political system, and to strengthen the legitimacy of national institutions in the face of attempts at fragmentation and marginalization. The decision also comes in the wake of a series of international recognitions of the State of Palestine, which makes strengthening the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions and their democratic representation a national and diplomatic necessity. The coalition warns that the continued postponement of the elections harms the status of Palestine and the credibility of its institutions, and undermines the confidence of citizens and the international community in the seriousness of commitment to the democratic path."

In a related context, the coalition renewed its “rejection of the procedures followed in appointing members of the Palestinian National Council from abroad, in light of the absence of transparency and clarity of selection criteria,” and demanded that these procedures be reviewed and corrected, and that the foundations of representation and selection be announced.

He also confirmed his refusal to adopt appointment as an alternative to election to choose representatives of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Gaza Strip.

The coalition stressed that the comprehensive national dialogue is a national necessity and a fixed demand, but it must not turn into a new pretext for postponing the elections, or into repeating the experiences of previous dialogues that ended without results or without a commitment to implementing their outcomes. Accordingly, the coalition calls for a serious dialogue, within a specific time frame and clear goals, that goes beyond the factional framework and includes civil society institutions, trade unions, federations, and representatives of youth, women, and the Palestinian diaspora.

The coalition stressed that the priority in this dialogue must be to agree on mechanisms for the success of the elections, and to consider them as a mechanism of struggle in confronting the challenges and obstacles imposed by the occupation. It determines how to manage Palestinian differences within inclusive national institutions that do not exclude anyone, and which serve as a reference for making national decisions according to clear democratic mechanisms, ensuring political partnership and respect for the popular will.

The coalition called for the issuance of a presidential decree setting a new and binding date for holding the presidential and legislative elections simultaneously, not to exceed the first quarter of 2027, while maintaining the preparations and procedures that have been completed, avoiding wastage of resources and efforts, and preserving the credibility of the electoral process and local and international confidence in it.

The coalition extends its greetings and appreciation to the Central Elections Committee, its chairman, members and staff, for its great and professional efforts in overcoming obstacles and completing the necessary preparations for the elections, and appreciates its clear position in preserving its independence and refusing to politicize its work or use it as an excuse to justify postponement.

The coalition stressed that national unity is not achieved by postponing the will of the people, but rather by enabling citizens to choose their representatives and building inclusive national democratic institutions. Elections are not a political luxury that can be dispensed with in times of crisis, but rather a national necessity to strengthen unity, renew legitimacy, and protect Palestinian representation in the face of the dangers of fragmentation and replacement.

The Civil Coalition for Elections statement was signed

The Independent Commission for Human Rights “Board of Grievances” The Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections (The Observatory)

The National Election Monitoring Committee, Coalition for Integrity and Accountability - AMAN

Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “Shams” Thabat Center

Al-Quds Center for Legal Aid, Al-Najda Social Society for the Development of Palestinian Women

The National Commission for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law - Independence of Al-Haq Foundation

The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Judiciary - Musawah The Palestinian Initiative to Deepen Global Dialogue and Democracy - MIFTAH

Center for Defense of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy Issues

The Palestinian Foundation for Empowerment and Local Development - Reform Palestinian Working Women’s Association for Development

The Palestinian Authority for Information and Activating the Role of Youth, Pyalara, Sharek Youth Forum

Center for Civil Society Studies "Civitas" Gaza Women's Affairs Staff