The Provincial Council of Álava orders an extraordinary BOTHA for the general elections

The Provincial Council of Álava has ordered the publication of an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette of the Historical Territory of Álava (BOTHA) on October 12, 2026, as well as on any other date that may be necessary to address the electoral processes called for November 29. The decision is formalized in Resolution 5128/2026, of October 7, published in BOTHA number 116, of October 9, 2026, within section I of the General Assemblies of Álava and Provincial Administration.

The resolution responds to the call for elections to the Congress of Deputies and the Senate approved by Royal Decree 806/2026, of October 5, regarding the dissolution of both chambers, published in BOE number 248, of October 6, 2026. The elections will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026.

Article 3 of Provincial Law 13/2006, of November 20, which regulates the BOTHA, sets the publication of the gazette on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of each business week, although it allows the competent body of the Provincial Council to alter this periodicity based on publication needs. October 12, 2026, is a national holiday; therefore, without this express authorization, there would be no ordinary edition on that day.

Publication of electoral sections, polling stations, and venues

According to the legal deadlines of Organic Law 5/1985, of June 19, on the General Electoral Regime, and specifically that contained in article 24.2, the electoral sections, polling stations, and venues for the elections to the Congress and the Senate must be published in the BOTHA on October 12, 2026. The provincial law requires that this information reaches voters with the advance notice specified by electoral law.

The resolution also incorporates a generic provision authorizing the publication of any extraordinary issue of the BOTHA whenever required by electoral regulations. The text justifies this clause based on contingencies that may arise during electoral processes and the preclusive and immovable nature of electoral deadlines, which prevent the delaying of official publications.

Competent body and effects of the resolution

The order is signed by the Director of Governance, Miren Zabala Basterrechea, of the Department of Equality, Basque Language, and Governance of the Provincial Council of Álava. She acts using the powers granted by article 4 of Provincial Decree 28/2014, of the Council of Deputies of May 27, which approves the implementing regulation of Provincial Law 13/2006, in relation to the competencies regarding the BOTHA established by Provincial Decree 41/2023, of the Provincial Governing Council of September 26, which creates the Directorate of Governance.

The second section of the resolution establishes that the measure will take effect from the date of its adoption, without prejudice to its publication in the BOTHA. The document was signed in Vitoria-Gasteiz on October 7, 2026.

Who it affects

• Political parties, coalitions, and candidacies running in the elections on November 29.
• Voters of Álava, who will learn their sections, polling stations, and electoral venues through the BOTHA.
• City councils and the electoral administration of the Historical Territory, subject to the preclusive deadlines of the process.

The decision ensures that the electoral calendar is not halted by the October 12 holiday and guarantees the official publication of electoral information in Álava. For parties, candidates, and voters, the extraordinary BOTHA becomes the reference channel for knowing polling stations, venues, and sections before the November 29 date.

Source: Official Gazette of the Historical Territory of Álava (BOTHA), number 116, of October 9, 2026, section I - General Assemblies of Álava and Provincial Administration, page 1 (official reference: Resolution 5128/2026, of October 7).