Ramallah – Factions, political parties, and civil society organizations held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue of local elections in the wake of the Prime Minister’s statement to implement the elections in stages. The meeting resulted in the need to hold local elections during the first half of this year, simultaneous in all governorates of the country, since the implementation must be coherent according to the law.
Dr. Azmi Shuaibi, Consultant to AMAN’s Board of Directors stated that this meeting was held to discuss all difficulties in the face of holding elections, noting that a slight of hope has been given to the Palestinians regarding the reestablishment of democracy when local elections were announced. However, the obstacles that have hindered the implementation of local elections have restored the previous frustration of the people. The government issued a decision to hold elections within four months, but till this day, no date has been official announced to hold elections.
Mr. Aref Jafal stated that the civil society organizations called for an open dialogue that includes the government parties, factions and civil society institutions after the court's decision, which hindered the holding of the elections. However, the government did not react to this demand, while the civil society institutions prepared to be the network point between Hamas and Fatah movements and different Palestinian factions to bridge the gap and reach a consensus that allows the implementation of elections.
The civil society organizations agreed with Jafal that the government should be more open and involved with civil society organizations in making decisions that directly affect the rights of citizens, and that the conflict between Fatah and Hamas should not be subject to the constitutional rights of citizens, including the right to elect legitimate representatives.
The participants agreed on the following statement:
Subsequent to the decision of the Palestinian Cabinet No.17/121/07 for the year 2016 to hold elections no later than8/2/2017, and further to the remarks made by Prime Minister Dr.Rami Hamdallah about holding local elections simultaneously in all governorates which was published in Al-Quds newspaper on 2/1/2017, whereas civil society organizations and political parties believe that elections are the most important tools of accountability, which must be timely and no person nor government or any other entity to prejudice and postpne this right
Therefore we demand the following:
1. Conduct local elections during the first half of this year and before the month of Ramadan, in all governorates simultaneously in which their implementation in stages is inconsistent with the text of the law.
2. The formation of the Court of Election Affairs in full agreement and the selection of impartial judges to consider all issues related to the elections.
3. Any legislative amendments to the Local Elections Law shall be postponed until after the completion of the current elections, and according to legislative or consensual basis.
The civil society organizations will immediately arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister and arrange another meeting soon with the parties and civil institutions in the Gaza Strip in order to mediate between the Fatah and Hamas movements to build confidence and bridge the gap and reach a national consensus that allows elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip At the same time, as a first step towards the reunification of the country, and the holding of general elections and elections to the National Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
