Following the decision of the Palestinian Cabinet No. 17/121/07 for the year 2016 to hold local elections no later than 08/02/2017, in addition to the statements of the Prime Minister, Dr. Rami Hamdallah on local elections which has been published in the Al-Quds newspaper on 02/01/2017, in which the government intends to hold local elections in stages.
The political parties and civil society institutions believe that elections are the most important tools of accountability, which must take place on time and no person nor government nor any other entity to prejudice this right or to postpone or fragmentation;
We demand the following:
1. Conduct local elections during the first half of this year and before the month of Ramadan, and in all governorates at the same time since their implementation in stages contradicts with the law
2. The formation of a court for electoral issues and the selection of impartial judges to consider all issues related to the elections.
3. Any legislative amendments to the Local Elections Law shall be postponed until after the completion of the current elections, and according to legislative or consensual basis.
The civil society organizations will immediately arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister and arrange another meeting soon with the revelant parties and civil institutions in the Gaza Strip in order to mediate between the Fatah and Hamas movements to build confidence and bridge the gap and reach a national consensus that allows elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip at the same time, as a first step towards the reunification of the country, and the holding of general elections and National Council elections at the earliest opportunity.
