Deir el-Balah, Gaza – Early this morning, Salama Badwan, his wife, and his daughter headed to a polling station in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, to participate in the first municipal elections since 2006. The 43-year-old expressed joy at finally casting a vote after such a long absence and was overjoyed that his 18-year-old daughter could vote for the first time in her life.
This election is also the first since a ceasefire took effect in Israel's genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza. The war has impacted every aspect of life, including the electoral process. With many buildings damaged or destroyed, polling stations were set up in temporary fiberglass tents on open land.
"I am very happy today because this is a truly Palestinian democratic celebration. Many generations have been deprived of it for more than 21 years, and today my daughter is voting for the first time," Badwan told Al Jazeera.
For him, the elections offer a chance for peaceful change through the ballot box. "We must change everything through the ballot box. Whoever wins, it is their right, but not through inheritance. Change must be in the hands of the people."
Despite the enthusiasm, the situation in Deir el-Balah remains complex amid the ongoing ceasefire. The city, once described by Badwan as "always calm," has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced people, straining its infrastructure.
"The city received large numbers of displaced people, each with different ideas and harsh suffering. This created enormous pressure on water networks, sewage systems, and waste management and exhausted the previous municipality," he said.
Deir el-Balah was chosen to hold elections because its infrastructure was less damaged than other cities during the war.
Badwan hopes for a new municipal council free from political divisions between Hamas and Fatah. "We want a very strong municipal team that does not belong to any faction, one that can secure support from donor countries and meet people's needs, because today Deir el-Balah is hosting all."
On the street, the atmosphere is "positive and enjoyable" despite general frustration with the political class. "People are fed up with politicians and unfulfilled promises," he said, encouraging others to vote.
'I finally have a voice'
Standing beside her father, 18-year-old Dunia Salama did not hide her joy at casting her first vote. "I'm very happy that I can vote in my country and my city, Deir el-Balah, and that I, like others in my generation, can finally participate and have a voice," said Dunia, a first-year nursing student at Al-Aqsa University.
"Honestly, I had never voted before and didn't have a clear idea. But when the elections came, my father explained how things work and how our voices could help change the difficult reality we live in, even a little," she said.
Like many of her peers, Dunia's motivations are practical and tied to daily life, which has sharply deteriorated since the war began. She chose a candidate list composed mostly of young people, reflecting her hope for more efficient municipal administration.
"The reality the city is living after displacement is far from stable. The situation is tragic, especially cleanliness, public streets, healthcare, and even education. Everything is in very bad condition," she said.
"I hope these elections help create a situation where students return to schools, and new housing alternatives and camps are provided for displaced people instead of using schools. We want things to go back to how they were: schools should return to students instead of being shelters, hospitals should improve, and streets should be cleaned."
A long-delayed moment
For Awda Abdel Karim Abu Baraka, 73, the elections represent an opportunity to choose those capable of "reviving society and institutions that have been stalled for years." He believes the local elections could carry broader significance. "Holding elections today in Deir el-Balah shows the world that we are a democratic people, and we choose our representatives without imposition," he said, expressing hope that the international community will support this path.
He stressed the need for winners to respect residents who have suffered for years amid Israel's war. "There must be real programs, not high slogans that later fall. The citizens must be respected, and their dignity and humanity, violated by war, must be restored."
Despite recognizing the scale of challenges, he remains committed to gradual change. "We know the challenges are big and that change takes time. A long journey begins with a single step, and hopefully, this is the first step on the way."
'Born out of nothing'
Mohammad Abu Nada, coordinator of the Deir el-Balah electoral district, moved between voters and staff inside tents, describing an electoral process that was "born out of nothing." He recalled greeting the announcement of elections with a mix of surprise and a sense of responsibility.
"At first, the news was unexpected. There was joy that we were returning to work after two and a half years of suffering..."