In a press conference held in Ramallah today, the CEC Chairman Dr. Hanna Nasir announced that the upcoming local elections will be held in 94 localities in the West Bank whereas the total number of nominated lists competing for 1064 council seats reached 322.
Elections will not be held in 181 localities due to having only one candidate list which won by acclamation. On the other hand, complementary elections in 78 localities which did not qualify due to having no list candidate will be held on 24 November 2012 as per a Cabinet decision. Nomination in said localities will be open from 9 October until 18 October 2012.
The number of female candidates reached 1146 representing around 25% of the total number of candidates (4696). The number of registered voters who will be casting their voice on 20 October reached more than 518 thousand voters representing around 54% of the total eligible voters in the West Bank. 888 polling stations will be operated in 351 polling centers, 11 of which are for security forces who will cast their voices on an early poll on 18 October.
In another context, Dr. Nasir said that election campaigning will be conducted from 6-18 October according to elections timeline.
As of today electoral lists may conduct campaigning activities to promote their electoral programs according to law which confirms the right of political parties and candidate lists to conduct election campaigning for 13 days ending one day prior to elections Day. On this occasion, the CEC calls upon all lists to abide by campaigning regulations and democratic principles which we all believe in.