"The vote in a single city in Gaza is largely symbolic, with officials calling it a pilot. Deir el-Balah was selected because it is one of the few areas in Gaza not destroyed by Israeli forces."
"The elections come amid a tightly restricted political landscape and deep public disillusionment, as the Palestinian Authority seeks to project reform and legitimacy amid growing public frustration over corruption."
"Most electoral lists are backed by President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement or independent candidates, with no official participation from Hamas, which controls parts of Gaza."
"The main idea is to link the West Bank and Gaza politically as one system, its spokesperson, Fareed Taamallah, said."
Municipal elections are taking place in Gaza's Deir el-Balah and the occupied West Bank, marking the first local vote since the war began. Polling stations opened for 70,000 eligible voters in Deir el-Balah, chosen for its relative safety. The elections aim to address local governance issues amid public disillusionment with the Palestinian Authority. Most candidates are affiliated with Fatah or are independents, while Hamas is not participating. The Central Elections Commission is attempting to unify the political landscape between Gaza and the West Bank despite significant challenges.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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