Palestinian National Dialogue wraps up in Cairo, factions agree on holding general, presidential elections

CAIRO – 9 February 2020: The Palestinian National Dialogue meetings wrapped up, Tuesday after two days of discussions hosted in Cairo.

In their final statement, the fifteen political factions participating in the meetings agreed on holding general elections, followed with another presidential elections, in accordance with the presidential decree issued on January 15, 2012.

Another meeting is scheduled to be held next March in Cairo for the factions in order to agree on bases and mechanisms needed to complete forming the new National Council with the aim of developing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The factions affirmed in their statement that they will adherence to the timetable set by January 2012 decree, emphasizing that the elections will be held in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip without exception

All factions will be committed to respect the elections final results.

The final statement affirmed supporting the central elections and working to overcome any potential obstacles.

The factions agreed on forming a specialized “election court”, to included judges from Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This court will look exclusively in any cases related to the elections and will be responsible for the follow-up of everything related to the electoral process, including its results, and any legal disputes.

The Palestinian President will issue a presidential decree for the official establishing of the court and its purpose, according to the statement.

The elections will be secured mainly by the Palestinian police forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in their uniforms.

The factions also called on the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to issue a decree regarding releasing all detainees on a factional background or for reasons related to freedom of opinion, and to guarantee free political life for all factions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

They called on stopping the prosecution of citizens as a result of their political affiliation or opinions; which will provide a convenient and appropriate political environment for holding the elections.

The factions stressed the necessity of allowing freedom for political advertising, publishing, printing, and holding political and electoral meetings for any political party.

The factions affirmed in their statement as well, the importance of police forces impartiality security the elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and to refrain from interfering in elections or propaganda for any political party.

The final statement of the factions stressed providing equal opportunities to all electoral lists in media without discrimination.

The statement also highlighted addressing the repercussions of all divisions of all kind on a comprehensive and fair national basis free from all manifestations of geographical and political distinction.

The factions will be submitting a recommendation to President Mahmoud Abbas to consider amending the following points to the election law: “Reducing registration and insurance fees, resignation requests, female participation rate and lowering the candidacy age”.

They will be also submitting a recommendation to the new Legislative Council to look into the issue of detained political officials.

The statement also highlighted taking all necessary mechanisms to ensure the conduct the elections in Jerusalem.

At the end of their statements, the factions greeted all detained Palestinians and urged candidates to represent them and work on releasing them from prisons.

 All Palestinian factions participating in the meeting express their thanks and appreciation to Egypt and President Abdel Fattah al Sisi for the efforts exerted sponsoring and hosting the Palestinian National Dialogue in all its stages.

The Palestinian National Dialogue sessions kicked off in Cairo, Monday under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

Delegations of various Palestinian political factions arrived in Egypt to discuss several issues, most notably those related to the Palestinian general elections.

Earlier in January, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on organizing general elections in May followed by another Presidential elections in July of 2021.

These elections will be the first to be held in about 15 years, as the last legislative elections witnessed in Palestine were held in 2006, and the last presidential elections were in 2005