CEC delegation meets with Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas

The CEC Chairman, Dr. Hanna Nassir and Secretary General Dr. Rami Hamdallah, met with Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas on February 9th to discuss the procedures for holding general elections in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The president requested the Commission to follow up communication with various stakeholders to overcome any obstacles concerning the voter registration in Gaza. The CEC delegation informed Mr. Abbas of the fact that the CEC is not allowed till this date to update the voter registry in the Strip despite the re-opening of its headquarters.

The meeting also discussed the issue of elections in Jerusalem. Dr. Nassir pointed out to the Israeli’s stall in approving elections in Jerusalem until the last days preceding legislative Elections in 2006. Dr. Nassir stressed the importance of addressing this issue early to avoid such complications in the upcoming elections.

In another context, the meeting addressed the National Council Elections and the recommendation of the Amman meeting last month to assign the Commission with the organization of such elections nationwide. Dr. Nassir expressed CEC’s readiness to undertake this responsibility however, it is important to have a presidential decree granting this power to CEC as well as a law to regulate such elections that is consistent with the general elections law especially that both types of elections are supposed to be held in the same day.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Nassir expressed hope that political authorities will overcome existing obstacles to enable the CEC from carrying out its mandate according to law.