Central Election Commission Opens Accreditation for Journalists and Monitoring Bodies to Cover the 2026 Local Elections

SadaNews - The Central Election Commission announced today, Sunday, the opening of registration for the accreditation of monitoring bodies, journalists, and media organizations to cover and monitor the 2026 local elections. This is based on the law electing local councils and in implementation of the provisions of the regulations and procedures issued by it.

The Commission explained in its statement that the opening of accreditation for monitoring bodies aims to organize the monitoring process of local elections and ensure their integrity and transparency. It noted that the reception of applications for the accreditation of civil society organizations will begin from today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, and will continue until Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The Commission indicated that among the main conditions for the accreditation of local monitoring bodies is that they must be Palestinian, non-governmental, and non-profit, officially registered with the relevant authorities, possess organizational and financial independence, and not be linked to any political party, electoral list, candidate, or any governmental or security entity. Their goals and activities must be related to promoting democracy, good governance, human rights, or election monitoring, with adherence to training their monitors according to the legal framework and the adopted codes of conduct.

On another note, the Central Election Commission affirmed its commitment to facilitating the work of journalists and cooperating with them to cover the local elections scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with the utmost professionalism, objectivity, and accuracy, in line with its principles for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, and presenting a dignified image of the Palestinian democratic experience.

Regarding journalists and media organizations, the Commission announced the opening of accreditation starting from Sunday, January 18, 2026, until the end of Sunday, April 19, 2026, with applications and their attachments to be submitted electronically via the official website of the Commission.

Concerning the categories of accreditation, the Commission stated in its announcement that they include: local and international media organizations, media production companies, social media platforms, and independent local and international journalists according to professional conditions and regulations. The Commission grants accredited journalists accreditation cards to facilitate their work throughout various stages of the electoral process, starting from obtaining information and press data, conducting interviews, and entering headquarters, polling centers, and ballot stations.

The Commission pointed out that once journalists are accredited, accreditation cards will be printed, stressing the necessity for accredited journalists to adhere to the journalistic code of conduct while covering all phases of the electoral process and not to combine the role of journalist with that of a monitor or agent of any party or electoral list.

The Central Election Commission confirmed its continued commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure the organization of fair and transparent local elections, calling on civil society organizations and media outlets to actively participate in monitoring and professional coverage, thereby enhancing citizens' trust in the electoral process.

For further inquiries, the Commission invited concerned parties to contact it through its headquarters in the city of Al-Bireh or via the phone numbers announced on its website, affirming its staff's readiness to provide the necessary information and support.