The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) offered its congratulations for the success of the electoral process with a 53.27% participation from voters in the second phase of local elections, and congratulated all elected lists and individuals for winning the elections wishing them success in serving their country. APLA also valued the role of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), the security forces, governmental institutions, representatives of local media, and both international and local observers, for the clear efforts exerted in securing the easy flow of the electoral process and achieving fair and transparent elections.
Furthermore, APLA noted the importance of unifying efforts and work to raise the level of citizens' interest in participating in the local authorities' works during the stages of planning and drawing policies, as a vital mechanism for enhancing and institutionalizing community participation and motivating initiatives and contributions from citizens and organizations in service of public interest and realizing local development.
It also emphasized the importance of enhancing the efforts for conducting local elections in Gaza Strip, in response to the public demand of citizens there, as it constitutes an entry point for bringing back the respect of the democratic process at all levels.
APLA expressed its gratitude and appreciation to all former local authorities for the efforts they made for the sake of developing the services provided to citizens under its jurisdiction. Finally, APLA asked them to continue the approach they started and handover the councils in accordance with the principles and procedures that achieve building on what was accomplished, in order to develop cities, villages and towns, as well as pushing the wheel of comprehensive and sustainable local development.