Analysts: Despite Hamas absence, elections still Fatah failure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency October 22, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The first elections held in the West Bank for six years reflect how frustrated Palestinians are with their political system and ruling party Fatah, political observers said Sunday. The poll was held on Saturday in 92 of the 353 municipalities in the West Bank. Other seats were uncontested, creating automatic winners, or failed to register any candidates in this round, and will hold polls next month. » Read more

Civic Duty and Economic Worries Drive Palestinian Voters in Parts of West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - October 21, 2012 - 12:00am AL BIREH, West Bank — More than half the Palestinians who participated in municipal elections on Saturday said they did so because they saw voting as a civic duty, twice the portion giving the next most popular reason. » Read more

Mixed Results for Fatah Amid Low Turnout in Municipal Elections in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Jodi Rudoren - October 20, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — The dominant Fatah faction of the Palestinian Authority posted mixed results in municipal elections across the West Bank on Saturday, winning in some key cities and losing in others, but with the whole exercise appearing compromised by a relatively low turnout. » Read more