12 November 2009, Ramallah - Following the presidential decree issued on 23 October 2009 calling for presidential and legislative elections to be held on 24 January 2010, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) has been undertaking all necessary procedures to ensure that elections would be held on the assigned date in all of the Palestinian territories: East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The CEC issued its first statement regarding elections on 27 October 2009, affirming that the presidential decree calling for elections is a constitutional obligation. It called upon all Palestinian political parties, factions, observation bodies, civil society organizations, NGOs and the public to cooperate with the CEC to ensure free and transparent elections nationwide.
The CEC commenced its operational preparations for elections by publishing the legal electoral timeline, recruiting staff in all electoral districts and opening accreditation for local observation bodies. The CEC also contacted the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to discuss the CEC’s need for schools and teachers for the various electoral stages. Finally, the CEC contacted the Negotiations Affairs Department regarding Israel’s legal obligation to provide the appropriate conditions to hold elections in Jerusalem. The CEC is still waiting for a response from the Israeli side.
Since the first day of the CEC’s operations, the security authorities in the Gaza Strip verbally informed the CEC of objections to holding elections there, and stated that anyone participating in elections would be held accountable. The CEC continued to undertake electoral preparations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to the best of its abilities, despite these objections. On 5 November 2009, the security authorities in Gaza closed the CEC’s regional office and the five CEC district offices there.
Upon the request of the CEC Chairman, an unofficial meeting was held between Hamas leaders in the West Bank and the CEC Chairman, Secretary General and administrative staff on 8 November 2009 to clarify the situation in Gaza. Hamas confirmed its objections to holding elections in Gaza and gave several reasons for its position. The CEC refrained from discussing any political issues in this meeting with Hamas, as the CEC is neutral, independent and apolitical. The sole purpose of this meeting was to ensure the CEC’s ability to perform elections in the Gaza Strip. The CEC Chairman then requested that the Hamas leaders in the West Bank organize a meeting for him and the Secretary General with the Hamas leaders in Gaza. The CEC Chairman and the Secretary General intended to go to Gaza in order to address the issue on the ground.
However, the CEC’s request was denied by Hamas in Gaza. The CEC regrets Hamas’s response and reaffirms that the Commission takes a neutral stance toward the internal political conflict.
On Thursday, 12 November 2009, the Commission met to discuss all aspects of the situation. Given the legal timeline for holding elections, the CEC regrettably found that it cannot hold elections nationwide on the assigned date, as called for by the presidential decree. As a result, the CEC decided to inform the President, updating him on the developments on the ground and confirming its readiness to implement elections once the appropriate conditions for doing so in all Palestinian territories are met, in accordance with the law and in the service of the public interest.