The Central Elections Commission announced today; Sunday, the results for the Second Phase of the Local Elections. Which took place in 50 localities in the West Bank. The Results included the number of votes and seats obtained by each list, as well as the names of the winners.
CEC chairman Dr. Hanna Nasir stated in a press conference, held at the CEC’s media center in its headquarters in al Bireh, that the final voter turnout percentage for the Second Phase of the Local Elections reached 53.69% out of 715,413 eligible voters. Clarifying that this percentage was issued after all voters who were inside polling centers were done with casting their votes.
He also pointed out that the total number of voters reached 380 thousand. Among which; the percentage of valid ballots reached 97%, 1% for blank ballots, and 2% for invalid ballots.
Dr. Nasir added, that the CEC convened this morning, to examine all submitted complaints and reports from observation bodies. To eventually determine that none of these complaints affect the results of the elections. Accordingly, the CEC avowed the official results of the elections.
The results demonstrate that independent lists won 64.4% of the total contested council seats of 632, whereas partisan lists obtained 35.6% of seats.
The CEC has also announced the names of electoral lists, which won by acclamation in 23 localities due to having only one complete list nominated in each.
The CEC published the detailed results on its website www.elections.ps , at its district offices, and localities’ headquarters where citizens can view or challenge them, before the Elections court.
It should be indicated that the elections law gives the CEC 72 hours to announce the preliminary election results. However, the CEC has exerted all efforts to publish the results within less than 24 hours to enable citizens to view the results as soon as possible, and submit any challenges before the elections court within one week of the announcement of results. The Court adjudicates on the submitted challenges within five days of submission and issues its final and binding decisions. The final results will then be published and submitted to the Ministry of Local Government.
With the end of the electoral process, The CEC extends its utmost appreciation and thanks to all citizens for their participation. To Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas for his participation as well. The Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Interior and the Police Forces, The Civil affairs authority and the Military Liaison, media representatives, the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, political parties, electoral lists and local and international observers. Which have all contributed to the success of the Electoral process. The CEC pays special thanks to its entire staff for their efforts in achieving free and transparent elections with integrity that we can all be proud of.