The Chairman of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), H.E. Dr. Rami Hamdallah, received today, Thursday, a Swiss Delegation at the CEC’s HQ in Al-Bireh, with the CEO, Ashraf Al-Shuaibi in attendance.
The Delegation included, H.E. Ambassador Tim Enderlin, Head of Peace and Human Rights Division, Ms. Anne-Lise Cattin, Swiss Representative and Head of Mission, Ms. Stephanie Selg, Human Rights Advisor, and Ms. Justine Hessler, Deputy Head of Mission and Political Section.
Dr. Hamdallah welcomed the Delegation, affirming the CEC’s keenness on enhancing cooperation and partnership with countries and international institutions that support the endeavors of consolidating democratic life and conducting elections in Palestine, especially in light of the current political conditions that overshadow the CEC’s work and staff, more specifically in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, the Chairman introduced the Swiss Delegation to the CEC’s efforts and preparations to conduct free elections in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, as soon as the official call for elections is issued by the political level, emphasizing that conducting general elections is contingent on the availability of a suitable political and security environment. This starts with stopping the assault on the Gaza Strip, in a way that allows conducting an electoral process under inclusive and stable atmosphere, which requires active international support and intervention in order to pave the road with the circumstances suitable for that.
H.E. Dr. Hamdallah noted that the CEC is also getting ready for organizing the upcoming local elections, once it has been called for, which falls under its responsibilities to oversee the electoral process, guaranteeing its integrity and transparency.
The meeting was concluded with noting a series of projects implemented by the CEC over the course of the year, in cooperation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), with the aim of enhancing values of democracy and human rights in Palestine, which mainly targets women, the youth and school students.