Can Hamas run — and win — on its record in Gaza?

With legislative elections just three months away, Hamas is trying to rally its factions and constituents on a unified program.
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Members of the Palestinian security forces stand guard outside the Legislative Council building in the occupied-West Bank town of Ramallah, on Jan. 16, 2021. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced dates for the first Palestinian elections in more than 15 years, setting legislative polls for May 22 and a July 31 presidential vote. Abbas's Fatah party, which controls the Palestinian Authority based in the occupied West Bank, and the Hamas Islamists, who hold power in Gaza, have for years expressed interest in taking Palestinians back to the polls. - AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images
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Adnan Abu Amer
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Wheels have been in motion since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree Jan. 15 announcing that the legislative elections will be held May 22, the presidential elections July 31 and the Palestinian National Council elections Aug. 31.

Palestinians have not had an election in 15 years; the last legislative vote was held in January 2006, which Hamas won, and the last presidential elections were in January 2005 and were won by Abbas.

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