RAMALLAH, West Bank — President Mahmoud Abbas' high-profile announcement that elections will be held in all the Palestinian territories has spurred conflicting opinions on whether his Fatah party will unwaveringly stick with Abbas as its sole candidate, and whether Abbas really intends to hold elections at all.

Hussein al-Sheikh, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, took to Twitter on Oct. 15 to say that once the Palestinian Central Election Commission completes its consultations, Abbas will be setting the dates for legislative and presidential elections.

“Fatah confirms that its only presidential candidate is Abbas,” he added, though some observers said an official decision had not been reached.

Election commission Chairman Hanna Nasser has met with the Palestinian factions, including Hamas, and civil society organizations to set the stage for legislative elections, which are to be followed by the presidential election a few months later. Election commission Executive Director Hisham Kahil told Al-Monitor that the period between the elections should range from three to four months.