Al Wafaa’ Islamic Bloc gains majority in 2022 Birzeit University Student Council election with 28 seats

Al Wafaa’ Islamic Bloc won 28 out of 51 seats in Birzeit University’s Students Council election, held on May 18, 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Martyr Yasser Arafat Bloc gained 18 seats and the Democratic Progressive Student Pole won 5 seats.

The Student Unity Bloc and Progressive Student Union did not secure any seats.

Head of the Election Committee and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Iyad Tumar said that 9782 out of 12,521 eligible voting students participated in the elections, with voter turnout at 78.1percent. The number of invalid and blanc votes according to Tumar, were 178.

President of Birzeit University Dr. Beshara Doumani applauded the students’ commitment to a free, fair, and democratic election, maintaining an atmosphere of respect and integrity throughout election week. Underpinning the Student Council election, he added, is a shared belief among the university's community in the values of pluralism and diversity, allowing for an environment where freedom of speech and thought can be freely exercised and turning Birzeit University’s annual election into an index of Palestinian political mood.

A debate between the student blocs was held on May 17 where each group presented their electoral program, goals and objectives and answered questions put forward by the dean of Student Affairs on university academics, governance, and student life.

In 2019, both Al Wafa’ Islamic Bloc and the Martyr Yasser Arafat Bloc secured 23 seats, and, based on the vote count, the latter won leadership of the Student Council.