Hamas: No to running elections in West Bank only

In a meeting with the Central Elections Commission on Friday, Hamas expressed its readiness to resume the electoral process stressing that it rejects the cancellation of the elections, the movement’s spokesperson said.

The meeting took place in the Qatari capital, Doha, to discuss the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend elections until an appeal is heard against holding the elections. The final decision is due this week.

Hamas spokesman Hossam Badran told Wattan news agency that the movement hopes to appeal against the judgement and hold elections on time. He said Hamas believes the elections will help end internal Palestinian divisions and unify Palestinians.

The Central Elections Commission asserted its commitment to the decision of the Supreme Court, stressing that its role in the elections is a procedural and technical one, not political.

Badran stressed that it would be a serious mistake for the Supreme Court to decide to resume elections in the West Bank only and not in Gaza.