Landslide victory for Hamas student bloc in West Bank reflects shift in popular support
Hamas won a large majority in the student elections at Birzeit University in the West Bank, pointing to the movement’s growing popularity at the expense of the divided Fatah movement.
Hamas’ student wing, the Islamic Wafa bloc, scored a landslide victory in the student elections held May 18 at Birzeit University north of Ramallah with 5,060 votes, thus securing 28 seats. The Shabiba bloc affiliated with Fatah won 3,379 votes, securing 18 seats.
Five blocs competed for the 51-seat student council elections, while a 78.1% voter turnout was registered.
On its website, Birzeit University said the elections, which came following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, distinguishes the university and consolidates democratic practice and the university values and vision in an electoral process known for its integrity and transparency. It added that student council elections will be held on an annual basis.
On the day preceding the elections, the university organized a student debate as part of the competing blocs’ electoral campaigns. During the debate, the competing blocs highlighted the mistakes of the rival blocs instead of focusing on their own strengths and programs, as the electoral campaign was marred by political rivalries, defamation, libel and slander.
