Ruling of the Palestinian High Court on Cancelling Elections in the Territories

On December 13, 2010, the Palestinian High Court issued its final verdict on the lawsuits challenging the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) of the Palestinian Authority decision to cancel the local elections scheduled for July 17, 2010. The Court ruled that once the cabinet calls for elections, it does not have authority to cancel them.

This long-awaited decision puts an end to the judicial process that began on July 18, 2010 when four electoral lists responded to the Cabinet’s decision to cancel the elections by filing a lawsuit challenging the Cabinet’s right to do so.

For additional information, please see IFES’ briefing paper on this subject.