President Mahmoud Abbas paid a surprise visit to the CEC headquarters in the city of Ramallah today where he reiterated his support for the CEC, and pledged to guarantee its independence.
The President was welcomed by 2 CEC commissioners, Judge Ass'ad Moubarak and Judge Iman Nasser Eddin as well as CEC Chairman Dr Hanna Nasir and the Chief Electoral Officer Mr Ammar Dwaik.
As the date of the legislative elections scheduled for 25th January 2006 approaches, the President emphasized that the electoral operation would run smoothly, in security and would be conducted according to the electoral law.
The President noted that the Palestinian people are solely responsible in determining the results of the election and that all must abide by these results.
The CEC updated the President on the conduct of early voting for security officers which started yesterday and in which turnout exceeded 80% by the close of polls this evening.