The president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, during a visit to Moscow on Jan. 22, 2026. (Credit: Ramil Sitdikov/AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Jan. 24 signed a decree amending Article 16 of the local elections law, introducing a new requirement widely seen as an indirect move to bar Hamas from the municipal elections scheduled for April 25.
Under the amendment, all candidates must submit a written commitment to abide by the political and national program of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, according to the Palestinian Central Elections Commission.
The requirement implicitly obliges candidates to renounce terrorism, support a two-state solution and recognize Israel — conditions rejected by Hamas and other armed factions, including al-Jamaa al-Islamiya.
Such conditions are unprecedented in Palestinian elections. They were not imposed during the 2006 legislative elections in Gaza, which Hamas won and which entrenched the political split between Gaza and the West Bank following violent clashes with Fatah, nor during the 2021–2022 municipal elections in the occupied territories.
Several observers say Abbas, 90, who has remained in office well beyond his original four-year mandate, is seeking to curb Hamas’ popularity, particularly as the Islamist movement continues to control parts of Gaza.
Beyond the West Bank, the Palestinian Central Elections Commission is also studying the possibility of organizing local elections in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, though the plan faces significant uncertainty. Doubts have grown following recent steps by U.S. President Donald Trump related to the establishment of new governing structures for the enclave.
Year of 'Palestinian democracy'
Long criticized for corruption, authoritarianism and political paralysis, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority has faced mounting public discontent, especially since Oct. 7, 2023, after which Hamas was viewed by some Palestinians as a defender of the national cause.
In addition to limiting Hamas’ political reach in the West Bank, Abbas is believed to be signaling to the international community — particularly Washington — his readiness to meet its conditions, in an effort to avoid potential sanctions and to present himself as a credible partner in any future governance arrangement for the Palestinian territories.
Some analysts say the amendment could set a precedent, potentially extending to future legislative and presidential elections. Although Abbas declared 2026 the “year of Palestinian democracy” earlier this month, the prospect of general elections following the municipal vote remains uncertain.
Legislative and presidential elections promised for 2021 — which would have been the first since 2005–2006 — were repeatedly postponed and ultimately canceled. Abbas cited Israel’s refusal to allow voting in occupied East Jerusalem. Critics, however, accused him of blocking the elections out of concern that rival lists could prevail and allow Hamas to expand its influence in the West Bank.
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