Palestinian Elections | The American Task Force on Palestine

Municipal Elections Likely to Widen Palestinian Divide, Politicians Say
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by David Miller - February 9, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian municipal elections called for this summer will likely accentuate the rivalry between Fatah and Hamas, Palestinian politicians said. Fatah officially welcomed on Wednesday an announcement by the Palestinian cabinet to hold elections on July 9, the first in the Palestinian Authority since 2006. In a statement, Fatah said the elections would “forge political unity.” Local elections were previously set to take place on July 17, 2010, but were postponed by the PA after Hamas refused to participate.

PA cabinet calls elections for July 9
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 8, 2011 - 1:00am

The Palestinian Authority cabinet decided on Tuesday to hold local elections on July 9, in what will be the first time voters have gone to the polls since 2006. It will mark the second attempt to hold a municipal vote, after July 17, 2010 elections were called off only weeks before they were scheduled to take place. "The cabinet decided during its meeting today to hold local elections on Saturday, July 9, and charged the elections committee with making the necessary preparations," PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib said, reading from an official statement.

Hamas rejects holding local elections under division
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 8, 2011 - 1:00am

The Islamic Hamas movement Tuesday rejected the Palestinian government's decision to hold municipal elections in the territories in July. "Hamas rejects any decision from the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to hold the elections under the current circumstances," Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, told Xinhua, referring to political split between Gaza and the West Bank. On Tuesday, the Palestinian government led by Salam Fayyad announced the decision to hold municipal elections in the Palestinian territories in July, including the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

PA: Elections will go forward, date to be set
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian Authority Minister of Local Governance Khaled Al-Qawasmeh confirmed Wednesday that the West Bank government would make a decision on the date of municipal elections in the coming session of the Central Election Committee. The elections would likely come in May, the official said, at least two weeks earlier than the likely date an official from Fatah estimated speaking with Ma'an on Tuesday. Fatah Central Committee member Muhammad Al-Madani had said the PA was "adamant" that elections be held on July 17, 2011, one year after they were supposed to have taken place.

Palestinians argue over elections as reconciliation efforts stuck
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
by Saud Abu Ramadan, Emad Drimly - February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Leaders of various Palestinian political factions argued on Thursday over when to hold new presidential and legislative elections on the Palestinian territories, as efforts to achieve a reconciliation between rival Fatah and Hamas had been stalled for more than three years.

Abbas says not to run for re-election
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 3, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Wednesday that he doesn't intend to run in any upcoming presidential elections, a senior Palestinian official said. The Palestinian leadership is seriously studying to prepare for holding new parliamentary and presidential elections, the official said on condition of anonymity. "President Abbas is expected to call for holding the elections soon, but he hasn't setup a date yet," the official said, in the aftermath of a meeting of Abbas Fatah movement's revolutionary council held in Ramallah.

Fatah official: PA wants elections this year
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Now that leftist Palestinian factions have a court mandate forcing the government in Ramallah hold elections, Fatah and Hamas are back to bickering about how the vote might be held. Muhammad Al-Madani, member of the ruling Fatah’s main body, told Ma’an Tuesday evening that the Palestinian leadership planned to hold local elections in the summer and general elections by September.

Hamas rejects local elections under division
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
by Wang Guanqun - February 2, 2011 - 1:00am

Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday said it boycotts any local elections as long as split in the Palestinian territories remains in place. A statement by Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, rejected the West Bank-based government's announcement that municipal elections would be held in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Moreover, the statement described the government, led by Salam Fayyad, as "illegal," adding that the elections "will be null and their results unrecognized if they were held without agreement and under the split."

Palestinian Cabinet in West Bank says it will hold municipal elections 'as soon as possible'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
February 1, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian Cabinet in West Bank says it will hold municipal elections "as soon as possible."

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