Presidential decree No. ( ) of 2006 on the referendum on the National Conciliation Document
"Prisoners' Document"

President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee
President of the PNA

Having reviewed the decision of the PLO's Central Council, convened in Tunis on the 10th to 12th of October 1993, on the establishment of the PNA with the PLO as its reference;
And based on the decision of the PLO's Executive Committee, convened on the 6th of June 2006;
And based on the provisions of the amended Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments;
And to safeguard the higher interests of the people and their constitutional institutions and their national unity;
And to avert the dangers facing the homeland;
And pursuant to the authority vested in us,

Introduction

In adhering to the Palestinian national constants ratified by the PLO and in the realization of my constitutional vow to fully protect the interests of the Palestinian people in my capacity as Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee and President of the PNA, and in harmony with my right and duty to refer back to the people who are the source of all authorities and in applying direct democracy practices, of which the popular referendum is considered its most advanced forms, and in referring matters to their origin since the referendum is a core legitimate practice based on the general constitutional principles referred to in the amended Basic Law of 2003.
In my capacity as the Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee and President of the PNA, I have decided to exercise this constitutional right and duty and to hold a referendum on the National Conciliation Document "Prisoners Document", out of the necessity to safeguard the higher interests of the Palestinian people and to avert the dangers facing the unity of the people and the safety of the homeland.

We hereby decree the following:

• Article (1)

  The Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are called upon to participate in the referendum on the National Conciliation Document "Prisoners Document", attached with this decree, on Wednesday the 26th of July 2006 from 7:00am to 9:00pm.

• Article (2)
  1. The referendum will be to express the viewpoint on the following question: Do you agree to the National Conciliation Document "Prisoners' Document"?
  2. The answer must be either Yes or No.
• Article (3)

  Anyone with the right to vote, according to the provisions of the Elections Law No. (9) of 2005, can exercise his/her right to vote in the referendum in a free, direct, secret and individual manner. Voting by proxy will not be allowed.

• Article (4)

  The Central Elections Commission shall be in charge of conducting, managing and overseeing the referendum and to take necessary measures to ensure that it is conducted freely and with integrity.

• Article (5)

  The referendum shall reflect the will of the people by the viewpoint of the absolute majority of the voters in the referendum.

• Article (6)
  1. The provisions of Elections Law No. 9 of 2005 and the relevant regulations shall apply to any issue not mentioned in the text of this decree and to the extent required by the referendum process.
  2. The Central Elections Commission shall decide on any matter pertaining to the referendum in the absence of any text dealing with it.
• Article (7)

  Wednesday the 26th of July 2006, the date of the referendum according to this decree, shall be an official public holiday..

• Article (8)

  The Central Elections Commission shall publish the National Conciliation Document "Prisoners' Document" in local media and newspapers so that all citizens can view it.

• Article (9)

  All competent entities, each within its own jurisdiction, shall execute the provisions of this decree which shall be effective on the date of its issuance and shall be published, along with the National Conciliation Document "Prisoners' Document", in the Official Gazette.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on the 10th of June 2006 AD corresponding to the 14th of Jamadi al-Awwal 1427 Hijri

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee
President of the PNA