Palestinian voter registration begins for elections

Voter registration and data updates began across the occupied West Bank on Saturday ahead of Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for November 28, the first such vote in nearly 20 years. The State of Palestine — Elections in Palestine opened registration centers for the West Bank, urging eligible Palestinians aged 17 and above to register or update their details. Gaza residents will be automatically registered using the Palestinian civil registry. The elections, set by a decree from President Mahmoud Abbas on July 9, are seen as a test of efforts to rebuild Palestinian institutions and renew their legitimacy after years of internal division and the Gaza war. Hamas has announced it will participate within the broadest possible national coalition. Candidate registration is scheduled from September 26 to October 7, with campaigning beginning November 6.