The CEC, the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) and the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the objective of coordinating their efforts to support the electoral process, overcome foreseeable obstacles, and enable a comprehensive observation process. The MoU also aims to contribute to citizen awareness raising and education, particularly women and youth, by encouraging them to participate in the Palestinian local and general elections of 2021.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Hanna Nasir, Chairman of the CEC; Isam Younis, Commissioner General of the ICHR; and Amal Khreisheh on behalf of the Civic Coalition for Election's Support and Observation.
During a press conference held simultaneously in Ramallah and Gaza, the Chairman of the CEC shared that the issues of rights and freedoms are some of the major challenges facing the 2021 Palestinian elections. He added that the CEC looks forward to the ICHR and other Palestinian human rights organizations taking an active role in resolving any issues related to the environment surrounding rights, freedoms, addressing relevant complaints, and monitoring and documenting violations committed by the Israeli occupation that pose the risk of influencing the flow of the electoral process.
Isam Younis, Commissioner General of the ICHR, expressed his appreciation for the presidential decrees relevant to conducting the elections despite the currently divisive political atmosphere. He stated: The procedures on rights and freedoms must be mainstreamed and popularized in order for the elections to be free and honest. We are happy about our partnership with the CSOs and the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation, especially concerning urging and encouraging registration, active participation and the observation of the various aspects of the election process. Younis addressed the national political factions convening in Cairo to reiterate a message of the national responsibility to end all unresolved files in order to guarantee the success of the elections in accordance with the law.
Aref Jaffal, a representative of the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation, indicated that the partner organizations of the coalition will concentrate their work on providing: 1) the appropriate electoral environment; 2) a respect of rights and freedoms; and 3) Palestinian citizens with the ability to exercise their right to choose their candidate, and vote freely with integrity in a way that guarantees the highest possible level of equality, indiscrimination, and the preservation of essential human rights throughout the democratic process.
Ammar Dwaik, Director General of the ICHR, reiterated the significance of signing the MoU, which facilitates the work of the CSOs observing the elections, organizes the mechanisms and means of observation, prevents the potential violations of public rights relevant to the elections, and addresses any violations that may occur.
The MoU aims to create a favorable environment for conducting the general elections identified by the presidential decree issued on January 15, 2021, with legislative elections scheduled to commence on May 22, 2021, followed by the presidential elections on July 31, 2021.
The MoU stipulates a joint cooperation between the CEC, ICHR and the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation with the aim of creating an environment appropriate for conducting free and fair elections while empowering and encouraging citizens to exercise their constitutional right to candidacy and voting. This includes exchanging and facilitating access to critical information, as well as joint cooperation to resolve incoming complaints related to restriction of freedoms from citizens or any official institution throughout all phases of the electoral process, and ensuring all measures are taken to resolve such complaints as soon as possible.
Under this agreement, the CEC shall provide aid and support to the observational efforts of the partner organizations of the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation, and refer any complaints or cases regarding the violation of rights and freedoms to the ICHR for follow-up. Additionally, the CEC will roll-out orders through its offices across districts for timely and direct cooperation to address the complaints and comments it receives from the ICHR offices and other partner organizations of the Civic Coalition for Election’s Support and Observation spread throughout the governorates of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The agreement also details the cooperation of both sides to provide training, awareness-raising initiatives, and media services to facilitate election observation, motivate all parties involved in the electoral process, and create a state of reassurance among them.