Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has announced that November 1 will mark a historic moment for the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), as the group prepares to hold its first-ever direct elections for the Palestinian National Council (PNC), according to state news agency Wafa.
Until now, members of the PNC — the PLO’s legislative body in exile — were selected from within the organisation itself, often chosen by party leaders rather than by the people. But in a significant shift toward broader public involvement, Abbas has issued a decree stating that voters will choose their representatives directly.
In his announcement, Abbas emphasized that elections will take place “wherever possible, both inside and outside Palestine,” ensuring that Palestinians can participate no matter where they live.
The PNC has long been at the heart of Palestinian political life, although its members have typically been drawn from Fatah, the movement co‑founded by the late Yasser Arafat. Movements such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which are not part of the PLO, will remain outside the council.
The move has been seen by many as an attempt to renew political legitimacy and broaden engagement among Palestinians amid ongoing challenges and changes in the region.
This election could open a new chapter in Palestinian political representation — one where people have a direct voice in choosing their national leadership.
