Reasons behind Mohammed Dahlan's Democratic Reform Current elections in Gaza
Mohammed Dahlan’s Democratic Reform Current held its first internal elections in Gaza, ahead of Fatah’s general conference next March and in light of failed reconciliation efforts within the movement.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Democratic Reform Current in the Fatah movement, led by Mohammed Dahlan, held its internal elections in the Gaza Strip for the first time on Dec. 17.
Voter turnout was 95% of 621 members who make up the Current’s organizational conference, as 125 candidates competed in the elections and 65 members secured seats in the Gaza Leadership Council. These 65 members will elect a 13-member council in the coming days to handle day-to-day affairs in the Gaza Strip.
Abdel Hamid al-Masri, a leader in the Democratic Reform Current, told Al-Monitor that preparations for holding elections began over three months ago, pointing out that the conditions in Gaza were appropriate and allowed the elections to be held since the Current and Hamas are on good terms.
“The elections will be held in other parts of the world as well. The European square seems the most fortunate, given the democratic atmosphere in European countries and since we have no issues with the authorities there,” Masri noted.
