Palestinian factions vow to respect results of local elections

Palestinian factions have given “enough guarantees” that they will “respect election results”, the head of the Palestinian Central Election Commission Hanna Nasser said yesterday.

Speaking during a press conference in Gaza after a meeting with Hamas officials, Nasser said: “We hope that these elections will be objective and transparent, as well as being a glimpse of hope for holding the parliamentary and presidential elections.”

He noted that there would be local and international observers for the elections. “We will also call on Palestinian factions and other local monitors to take part in monitoring the elections in order to guarantee transparency,” he said.

Senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya, who met with Nasser along with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and others, welcomed the visit of the Central Commission’s delegation to Gaza and pledged to facilitate the elections in the coastal enclave.

He called for all Palestinian people and parties to do their best to help the elections be successful. Adding that he hoped the elections would bring an end to internal divisions and provide the framework for general elections to be held.