The Electoral Commission Clarifies Voter Turnout Rates in Local Bodies and Warns Against Circulating Inaccurate Figures

SadaNews - The Central Elections Commission clarified today, Sunday, the circumstances surrounding the comments and analyses regarding the participation rates in local body elections, affirming its reliance on a clear methodology consistent with international standards in calculating voter turnout.

The Commission stated in a press statement that it has been following up on the various voter turnout rates circulating, highlighting the discrepancies arising from different calculation methodologies, as it is the legally competent body to manage, organize, and supervise the electoral process, ensuring its integrity and transparency.

It indicated that the electoral participation rate is calculated based on the number of registered voters in the local bodies where the elections were held, in line with relevant international standards and consistent with the methodology adopted by the Commission in all previous electoral cycles.

It pointed out that the number of eligible voters participating in the local bodies where voting took place on 25/4/2026 reached (959,101) male and female voters in the West Bank, while the number of actual voters reached (536,567), resulting in a participation rate of (56%) of the total eligible voters, which is the percentage officially announced by the Commission during its press conference and published on its official website.

The Commission warned that publishing and circulating multiple or conflicting rates not based on adopted methodologies or international standards could create public confusion regarding the electoral process and undermine trust in it, as well as negatively impact citizens' motivation to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

It reaffirmed its full commitment to the principles of transparency and disclosure, welcoming communication with various relevant parties to provide the necessary clarifications and data, which ensures a unified understanding of the methodologies adopted in calculating electoral indicators.

The Commission emphasized its respect for the principle of community oversight as a fundamental pillar of integrity and transparency, while simultaneously asserting that the accuracy of information and the unification of methodologies for its presentation are equally important as the electoral process itself, given their direct impact on safeguarding public trust, preserving the integrity of the democratic process, and enhancing conscious and responsible participation.

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