Gaza Voters Demand Jobs and Security as Palestinian Elections Near
First legislative vote since 2006 set for Nov. 28; CEC plans up to 110 polling centres amid security fears
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File photo: Map of Palestinian electoral districts (2006). Photo: Roke, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The commission has contingency plans to produce election materials locally if ballot boxes, papers or ink cannot enter Gaza, Al Jazeera and TRT World reported. "If the sensitive election materials cannot be brought in, we have acceptable and practical alternatives that would allow the vote to be held in line with international standards," al-Khalidi said, according to TRT World. "The destruction is very extensive," he added.
Jobs, security and recovery
Unemployment in Gaza sits at about 80%, Al Jazeera reported. Ahmad Mohsen, 24, a nursing graduate in Deir el-Balah, told Al Jazeera the vote would be his first national election. "The first thing I want is to be able to find a stable job with a decent salary so I can support myself and my family, and the second thing is to have security," he said.
Ghassan Marwan, 53, who voted in 2006, told Al Jazeera he lost his home and factory in January 2024 during the war. "After losing your home and your source of income, what else do you want? All you hope for is reconstruction, calm and security in the country," he said. Analyst Iyad al-Qarra told Al Jazeera there is "a widespread desire for leadership that puts Gaza's recovery at the top of its priorities, given the heavy price the Strip has paid."
"We do not claim that elections will solve all problems," al-Khalidi said, according to TRT World. "But we believe holding them is a first step that can be built upon."
