THE MIND OF THE PEOPLE – After around two decades without presidential elections, Palestine has scheduled elections for 2027 as part of a series of democratic processes that the government is currently preparing. Ahead of this agenda, on Sunday 14 June 2026, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a legal decree revising general election rules to expand the community’s political representation.
The regulatory changes cover a number of important aspects, starting from increasing the number of parliamentary seats, increasing women’s representation, to expanding opportunities for the younger generation to get involved in the political process.
Apart from that, Abbas has also announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2027, which is part of efforts to continue the democratic process in Palestine.
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Reasons for Palestine to Change Election Rules
The Palestinian government made changes to election rules ahead of the democracy agenda which is scheduled to last until 2027. This step was stipulated through a legal decree issued by President Mahmoud Abbas.
In a statement published on the official website of the Palestinian Presidency, president.ps, it also stated that there was a goal of changing the regulations for the elections that would be held.
“as part of efforts to increase political participation and expand democratic representation.” quoted from the official website of the Palestinian Presidency president.ps Wednesday, June 17 2026.
This policy not only aims to expand community involvement in the political process, but also encourages greater representation for women and young people in elected institutions.
Apart from that, the Palestinian government hopes that through holding elections, public participation in Palestinian liberation organizations will also increase.
“completing the democratic process and increasing popular participation in the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization”,
Changes in the Palestinian Election Decree
The latest legal decree revising Palestinian election rules contains a number of important changes as follows:
- The number of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council increased to 200 seats.
- The threshold for obtaining votes to win a seat was lowered to 1 percent.
- The minimum number of candidates on each electoral list has increased from 16 to 20.
- Each electoral list is required to include at least one woman among every three candidates.
- The minimum age for candidates for members of the Legislative Council was lowered from 28 years to 23 years.
The draft changes were carried out to expand the political representation of various groups in society, including women and young people.
Composition of Seats and Political Representation
Through this new regulation, the Palestinian Legislative Council will have a total of 200 members. The increase in the number of seats is expected to open up greater space for representation for various political and social groups.
Apart from that, the obligation to include women in the list of candidates is an effort to strengthen women’s involvement in the political process and decision making. Meanwhile, lowering the age limit for candidacy provides wider opportunities for the younger generation to compete in elections and participate in elected institutions.
When will the National Council and Presidential Elections be held?
Previously, Mahmoud Abbas had issued a decree inviting Palestinians at home and in the diaspora to take part in the elections to the Palestinian National Council on November 1 2026. Based on this provision, members elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council will automatically become representatives of the homeland in the Palestinian National Council.
Abbas is also expected to issue a decree calling for holding Legislative Council elections alongside elections for the Palestinian National Council. Meanwhile the presidential election is scheduled to take place in 2027.
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The series of changes to election rules prepared by the Palestinian government is not only aimed at expanding the involvement of women and the younger generation in politics, more than that there is a mission to complete the democratic process and increase the participation of the Palestinian people in the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which has been recognized as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.***
