Challenges in Jerusalem, Gaza threaten Palestinian legislative elections
The Palestinian Authority must be able to hold elections in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for the polls to be legitimate.
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK — The Ramallah-based Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) is arranging a visit by its delegation to the Gaza Strip to meet with the Palestinian factions there, mainly the Hamas movement, to discuss participation in the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections.
CEC director Hisham Kahil told Al-Monitor that no date has been set yet, pending the return of Hamas leaders from their overseas tour and obtaining the necessary permits from the Israeli authorities.
A delegation from Hamas headed by its political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo Feb. 3 to discuss the truce with Israel, national reconciliation with Fatah and the blockade in place against the coastal enclave since 2007. The delegation met with representatives of the Palestinian factions in the CEC headquarters in Ramallah Feb. 4.
During a meeting with CEC President Hanna Nasser in Ramallah Jan. 20, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave his blessing to the CEC's preliminary works and talks with the different factions. The commission will submit a report to Abbas on the results of its consultations for the elections.
