Abbas strategically times his call for Palestinian elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement before the UN that he will call for elections in Palestinian territories seemed to be an attempt to prevent Hamas and Israel from objecting to the long-awaited voting.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formed a committee to follow up on his pledge to call for general elections in the West Bank, the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Israeli-controlled East Jerusalem.
He formed the committee Oct. 1 from members of his party on the Fatah Central Council. When he spoke Sept. 26 before the UN General Assembly meeting, Abbas called on the UN and relevant international parties to oversee the elections. He blamed Hamas for the violent 2007 Palestinian split and accused it of obstructing elections.
The last presidential election was held in 2005; Hamas won the last legislative election, in 2006.
Palestinian law stipulates that presidential and legislative elections be held every four years.
