The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced today, Saturday, the opening of applications for nominations for lists for the 2026 legislative elections, which will be held simultaneously in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The committee said, in a statement reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (Wafa), that it began receiving nomination applications this morning at its general headquarters in the city of Al-Bireh, and its office in the city of Deir Al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, and that the process will continue for 12 days, until the evening of Wednesday, October 7th, noting that the morning hours of the first day of candidacy witnessed a large turnout of candidate lists in its offices in Ramallah and Deir Al-Balah.
She explained that candidacy for membership in the Legislative Council is done through electoral lists only, and individual candidacy applications are not accepted, so that the number of candidates on the list is not less than 16 candidates and not more than 132 candidates, while adhering to the minimum representation of women in accordance with the provisions of the law.
She explained that the application to nominate the list is submitted by its coordinator and commissioner after completing the required forms, documents and attachments, stressing that the submitted applications are subject to study and scrutiny to ensure that they meet the legal conditions, and that submitting the application does not mean its acceptance or approval.
The committee confirmed the readiness of its teams in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to receive nomination applications and provide the necessary guidance and information to list representatives, calling on those wishing to run to ensure that all requirements are completed before submitting the application.
The nomination stage constitutes one of the main stages in the timetable for the 2026 legislative elections, while general voting is scheduled to take place on November 28.
The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, called on the people for general mobilization and national mobilization, to join the ranks of the armed and security forces, and to contribute to the defense of their republic and their national institutions against the terrorist Houthi militia.
Al-Alimi announced, in a speech to the people on the occasion of the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, the opening of the door for the safe return of those deceived to the ranks of the republic and constitutional legitimacy, explaining that whoever stops, starting Friday (yesterday), from fighting in the ranks of the Houthis or working for them, will be subject to an amnesty in accordance with the constitution and the law. The president asked countries that want security and stability in Yemen and the Red Sea to “stand by our people, their government, and their armed forces, and to support the Saudi-led coalition to rid our country of the militia.”
Al-Alimi considered that restoring state institutions “is not only a Yemeni interest, but rather for all countries in the region and the world,” noting that “the Houthi project to transform our land and coasts into a continuing threat to the security of Yemen and the entire region.”
The President stressed that the state’s goal is clear to everyone, which “is to restore its institutions and extend its sovereignty over its entire national territory, all the way to Sana’a.”
Lebanon placed its principles on the United Nations platform, where Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed his country’s adherence to sovereignty that “requires Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories,” and also includes “extending the authority of the Lebanese state, by its own forces, over its entire territory, and confining weapons to its hands alone.”
Salam said in a speech he delivered at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly: “No one speaks on behalf of Lebanon, and no one negotiates on its behalf, except the Lebanese state through its constitutional institutions,” adding: “It is true that Lebanon is affected by what is happening in its surroundings, but that does not mean that we accept that it will return to being an arena for the conflicts of others, or a negotiating card in their hands.” He stressed that “Lebanon’s future cannot be decided on its behalf, and its security and stability should not be the price for settlements concluded in its absence.”
Salam touched on the “framework agreement” with Israel under American sponsorship, and said: “The success of any agreement is not measured by declared intentions, but rather by the implementation of commitments.” Therefore, what is required today is to complete the translation of this framework into practical steps within a clear timetable and a verification mechanism that guarantees the implementation of all its provisions.”
