Signing MoU for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms and Liberties as well as Addressing Complaints during Local Elections

The Central Elections Commission (CEC) signed today, Tuesday, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) and the Civil Coalition for Elections Support and Observation, to enhance mutual cooperation and guarantee an electoral environment that protects citizens’ rights, freedoms and liberties, and guarantees the highest standards of integrity and transparency. In addition, it ensures a complaint mechanism in place for receiving and processing citizens’ complaints throughout all stages of the electoral process, from nomination to campaigning and polling. Said MoU includes the coordination of efforts and enabling citizens to exercise their constitutional right freely, while facilitating the exchange of information among interested stakeholders.

The signing took place at the CEC’s HQ in Al-Bireh, in the presence of the CEC’s Chairman, Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Issam Aruri, the Commissioner General of ICHR and its Director General, Dr. Ammar Dweik, as well as Aref Jaffal, representing the Civil Coalition for Elections Support and Observation, along with a group of coalition members and the CEC’s executive team.

Dr. Hamdallah emphasized that signing the MoU aims to enhance integrity and equal opportunities, establishing the CEC’s keenness to provide an electoral environment that guarantees citizens’ exercise of their political rights freely and democratically. Such consolidates public trust and confidence in the electoral process while dedicating institutional observation and monitoring of all stages of the elections.

Issam Aruri noted that the MoU reflects the national role of the ICHR in protecting citizens’ rights, freedoms and liberties, affirming the handling of any potential violations to guarantee equality and no discrimination, as well as working with partners to address complaints in competent and quick manner.

On another hand, Dr. Ammar Dweik invited citizens; both candidates and voters, to visit the ICHR in case they were subject to any kind of harassment, given the ICHR is observing and monitoring the electoral process.

On another note, Aref Jaffal mentioned that the coalition will continue to coordinate efforts of civil society organizations (CSOs) to support the implementation and observation of the electoral process, in addition to executing awareness programs targeting all segments of the society, especially women and the youth, to enhance informed political participation.

The MoU includes cooperation mechanisms for exchanging information, addressing complaints, and providing support to the observation and awareness efforts, while referring any cases of violation of rights, freedoms and liberties to the ICHR for follow up according to legal due diligence.

The signing parties confirmed that this partnership constitutes a practical step for consolidating free and honest local elections, which protect citizens’ rights and reflects their will throughout the different stages of the electoral process until the exhibition of the final results.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026