PLO moves forward with plans to restructure of the Palestinian National Council ahead of elections

The PLO is advancing a plan to restructure the Palestinian National Council, reducing its size from 747 to 350 members and expanding direct elections. The plan, ratified in June, has drawn criticism from Palestinian factions for excluding Hamas and other groups, despite being promoted as a democratic reform by PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council are scheduled for November 28.

The Palestine Liberation Organization is moving forward with restructuring its legislative body, the Palestinian National Council, ahead of Palestinian Legislative Council elections scheduled for November 28. The plan, ratified in June after being announced by PA President Mahmoud Abbas last year, will reduce the PNC from 747 to 350 members and expand the use of direct elections, partially replacing the previous system of factional quotas and appointments. The new council will include 132 PLC members from the territories, 150 diaspora members, and 67 consensus seats for PLO factions. Kuwait's Palestinian community has already elected the first two diaspora PNC members, with elections underway in Bahrain and Qatar. However, the process has drawn sharp criticism. Ramzi Rabah of the DFLP called for including Hamas through national dialogue. The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights raised concerns about electoral arrangements that may not allow full participation. Hamas has indicated it seeks to participate via a national coalition rather than under its own name, though candidates must recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate representative. The PFLP has urged Abbas to postpone the elections and launch comprehensive national dialogue.