The CEC and ICHR sign a Memorandum of Understanding

The Central Elections Commission (CEC) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) by which both parties commit to mutually cooperate towards creating a favorable environment for holding free and fair elections and enabling and encouraging citizens to practice their constitutional rights in nomination and voting. 

The MOU was signed by CEC Chairman, Dr. Hanna Nasir and ICHR Commissioner General Dr. Varseen Shaheen. According to the MOU, citizens may submit their complaints relating to electoral freedoms to ICHR which in turn, will process them with competent authorities in cooperation with the CEC. The MOU also identifies the mutual cooperation mechanisms between the two parties and stipulates the commitment of both parties to exchange information or any complaints by citizens or official institutions at any elections stage. Accordingly, the CEC will directly and promptly handle complaints received from ICHR. Both parties also commit to cooperation in providing training, awareness and media services necessary for both parties to fulfill their roles in administering, supervising and monitoring the upcoming Local Elections. 

It should be indicated that the MOU comes as part of a continuous cooperation framework between the CEC and ICHR. As an observation body to the upcoming elections, the ICHR will focus on monitoring the electoral environment, respect of citizens’ freedoms and constitutional rights by official authorities, and the enabling of Palestinians to exercise their rights in election nomination and voting in a way that ensures the highest level of equality through all stages of elections.