(100) trained observers of the Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development—REFROM followed the launch of the second phase of the local elections and were distributed in most polling stations. The electoral process started this morning, March 26, 2022, in 50 local bodies, with the participation of (715,413) male and female voters, distributed amongst (315) centers containing (1,203) polling stations.
According to the observers' data, the process began smoothly at 07:00 AM, with the exception of some polling stations that were not ready. Consequently, the opening of these centers was delayed for some time, ranging from 10 minutes to more than an hour. Meanwhile, the Central Elections Commission announced the extension of polling in the town of Taffouh in the Hebron Governorate for an hour, i.e., until 08:00 PM due to the tragic accident that led to the death of 5 citizens. Polling was also extended in the town of Jaba until 09:00 PM in order to compensate for the closing hours in the morning.
According to the Central Elections Commission, the participation rate until 10:00 AM reached 10% of those who have the right to vote. As part of the observers' follow-up on the course of elections, some violations were documented as the following:
1. Election advertising continued in front of polling stations at most of the local bodies, where observers were present.
2. Candidates and their representatives attempted to influence voters in most polling stations, as in Beta.
3. In the Salahya School in Nablus, the director of the hall refused to count the ballots he received before the start of the poll, under the pretext that there were not any candidates’ representatives present, despite the observers’ request.
4. Employees at Salhyah School in Nablus attempted to influence voters to elect the “Azm” list.
5. The director of the polling center at Al-Mustaqbal School refused to provide candidates’ representatives and observers with the number of voters.
6. A group of cyclists entered Ramallah Girls School yard and campaigned for an electoral list, and they were not arrested by the security at the polling station's door.
7. The observers recorded the entry of a joint force with weapons into the school yard in Beta, while there have been no similar reports until now in other areas.
8. Observers in Tarqumiya documented the presence of crowds at the polling stations.
9. There was not any adherence to safety procedures in Al-Samou’ polling station.
10.The observers documented the presence of overcrowding in a polling station at Ibn Khaldoun School in Al-Samou’.
11. Observers documented that polling station employees treated voters in an inappropriate manner.
12. Polling stations were not compatible with the elderly’s needs
13. Observers documented the low turnout of young people especially in the cities.
14. The security urged voters to choose a candidate list at Al-Hussein Ibn Ali School in Hebron, while there have not yet been similar reports in other areas.
Based on the observations, REFORM calls on:
1. The Central Elections Commission to obligate all polling stations’ staff to adhere to safety procedures.
2. The directors of the centers to prevent the gathering of voters in the polling booths and in front of the centers.
3. The importance of preventing any kind of electoral propaganda by candidates or agents inside or in front of the polling stations.
4. Ensuring the impartiality of polling station employees.
