Abbas Pushes Palestinian Elections to 2027, Extending 20-Year Gap

WHO:

CBS News - President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to postpone the elections.

CBS News - The Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, which Abbas heads, discussed the postponement.

CBS News - Islamic Jihad deputy secretary-general Mohammed al-Hindi commented on the situation.

CBS News - Dimitri Dilliani, a spokesperson for a faction led by former Fatah security chief Mohammed Dahlan, made a statement regarding Abbas.

WHAT:

CBS News - The Palestinian elections for the Legislative Council have been postponed to September 11, 2027.

CBS News - The elections were originally scheduled for next month.

CBS News - Palestinians have not held a legislative election since 2006.

CBS News - Abbas has served as president since 2005 and has delayed several elections during his tenure.

WHERE:

CBS News - The elections pertain to the Palestinian territories, specifically the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

CBS News - The discussions regarding the postponement took place in Cairo.

WHEN:

CBS News - The new date for the elections is September 11, 2027.

WHY:

CBS News - The postponement was attributed to conditions in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip not being conducive for elections.

CBS News - Israel had not allowed election materials or international observers to enter Gaza, impacting the ability to hold elections.

HOW:

CBS News - A committee of top Palestinian officials met to discuss the postponement of the vote.

CBS News - Leading factions had not registered slates to contest the election prior to the postponement.

(UPDATED October 10, 2026 14:59 UTC)

President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree to postpone the Palestinian elections for the Legislative Council, originally scheduled for next month, now set for September 11, 2027. This decision follows discussions among the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee and reflects concerns over the conditions in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, where Israel has restricted the entry of election materials and international observers. Abbas, who has been in office since 2005, has previously delayed several elections during his tenure, and Palestinians have not participated in a legislative election since 2006.