The countdown to the Palestinian local elections has begun. The atmosphere is tense, with remarkable participation by tribes and families in addition to the usual political forces.

Palestinian tribes started mobilizing immediately after the announcement of the electoral process and the major families started to prepare their candidates.

While dialogues and consultations to form electoral lists for the Oct. 8 election of 414 local councils in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are ongoing, it's clear that families and tribes are asserting themselves in the various Palestinian regions. If this force proves to be the most powerful, the election will not be decided based on the candidates’ competencies and capabilities or on the provision of services and good governance, but rather on family affiliations. Some Palestinians fear that familism in the upcoming elections will break down the local social fabric and weaken the Palestinian national movement in some villages and towns.

The various political factions appear to agree that political affiliations will rule the day.