CEC regrets the issuance of a decision preventing it from operating in Gaza Strip

News from Gaza indicated that a decision has been taken preventing the CEC from operating in Gaza.  The news sources explained that the decision was taken because “the issue of elections requires a political consensus”. 

The CEC would like to seize this opportunity to affirm that it is an independent and professional institution and not a political one. It is not involved with the aggravated internal political situation except to share its deep concern over its consequences.

Given the fact that the Commission is a permanent body, it has to shoulder several responsibilities between elections periods and thus  performs regular activities so as to be ready when an electoral event is called for. Amongst such activities are the training of its staff and educating the Palestinian voters on the various electoral aspects irrespective of election dates. The CEC also updates the voters' registry on a yearly basis as part of its readiness program. 

The CEC is aware of the immense obstacles and hardships the Gaza Strip is going through due to the Israeli siege. Despite this, it maintains contacts with its staff in Gaza in order to provide them with the necessary training, within the CEC's stated programs and plans, as is the case with the CEC staff in all other Palestinian districts. Within this context, the CEC maintains connections with all Palestinian political parties and factions and constantly keeps them updated with the latest CEC's preparations and programs.

As such, the CEC regrets the issuance of any decision that prevents it from operating in Gaza and hopes that such a decision would immediately be revoked.

The CEC's basic principles are neutrality, impartiality and transparency. Its work is monitored by hundreds of local and international bodies and therefore, the continuation of its work in a normal fashion is an absolute necessity as well as a national responsibility.