comrade_mufasa
24th December 2004, 16:02
Hamas Has Strong Election Showing
Friday, December 24, 2004 9:00 AM EST
The Associated Press
By ALI DARAGHMEH
Hamas made a strong showing in local elections in the West Bank, the first time the Islamic militant group competed at the polls, according to preliminary elections results obtained Friday.
The apparent show of support for Hamas came as leaders of its main rival in the election _ the ruling Fatah movement _ are pushing to resume peace talks with Israel. Hamas is pledged to Israel's destruction and opposes negotiations.
Elections for local councils were held in 26 communities on Thursday, with some 150,000 eligible voters choosing from among more than 800 candidates. Sixteen percent of the 360 local council seats were reserved for women.
The vote was the first in municipalities since 1976. Polling stations were jammed throughout the day, with high voter turnout reported. Elections were held in any of the major Palestinian cities or large towns. Voting in an additional 600 towns and villages was expected to be held next year.
According to preliminary results obtained by The Associated Press, Fatah movement won a majority of council seats in 14 towns, while Hamas took control in nine communities. In two towns, a joint Hamas-Fatah slate won, indicating that the rivalry was at times blunted by local issues and clan loyalties.
The outcome of the vote in one community, Yabed, was not immediately available.
Hamas officials said the group won a majority in at least 17 local councils, based on reports from their election observers.
The discrepancy could not immediately be explained. However, on the local level, membership in a political faction is now always clear-cut, and some candidates could have been claimed by the rival groups.
A Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman, said the result was a reflection of strong support for the group among Palestinians.
Abu Zuhri suggested that Hamas was ready to forge coalitions with Fatah. "The coming stage is one of development and rebuilding our society, and we will cooperate with everyone to strengthen our society."
Official results were to be released Saturday.
The race was seen as a dry run for a Jan. 9 election to replace Yasser Arafat as head of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is boycotting the presidential election, but said it would participate in legislative elections and additional local elections, tentatively set for 2005.
well it seams that Palestinians are falling into a 2 party system between Hamas and Fatah :( . I hope some other parties come up for the elections like the PFLP and make a strong showing.
Friday, December 24, 2004 9:00 AM EST
The Associated Press
By ALI DARAGHMEH
Hamas made a strong showing in local elections in the West Bank, the first time the Islamic militant group competed at the polls, according to preliminary elections results obtained Friday.
The apparent show of support for Hamas came as leaders of its main rival in the election _ the ruling Fatah movement _ are pushing to resume peace talks with Israel. Hamas is pledged to Israel's destruction and opposes negotiations.
Elections for local councils were held in 26 communities on Thursday, with some 150,000 eligible voters choosing from among more than 800 candidates. Sixteen percent of the 360 local council seats were reserved for women.
The vote was the first in municipalities since 1976. Polling stations were jammed throughout the day, with high voter turnout reported. Elections were held in any of the major Palestinian cities or large towns. Voting in an additional 600 towns and villages was expected to be held next year.
According to preliminary results obtained by The Associated Press, Fatah movement won a majority of council seats in 14 towns, while Hamas took control in nine communities. In two towns, a joint Hamas-Fatah slate won, indicating that the rivalry was at times blunted by local issues and clan loyalties.
The outcome of the vote in one community, Yabed, was not immediately available.
Hamas officials said the group won a majority in at least 17 local councils, based on reports from their election observers.
The discrepancy could not immediately be explained. However, on the local level, membership in a political faction is now always clear-cut, and some candidates could have been claimed by the rival groups.
A Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman, said the result was a reflection of strong support for the group among Palestinians.
Abu Zuhri suggested that Hamas was ready to forge coalitions with Fatah. "The coming stage is one of development and rebuilding our society, and we will cooperate with everyone to strengthen our society."
Official results were to be released Saturday.
The race was seen as a dry run for a Jan. 9 election to replace Yasser Arafat as head of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is boycotting the presidential election, but said it would participate in legislative elections and additional local elections, tentatively set for 2005.
well it seams that Palestinians are falling into a 2 party system between Hamas and Fatah :( . I hope some other parties come up for the elections like the PFLP and make a strong showing.