A delegation from the Central Elections Commission met on Wednesday evening with a delegation representing the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip to discuss holding local elections.

Earlier today, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee Hanna Nasser, and an accompanying delegation of committee officials, arrived in the Gaza Strip through the Beit Hanoun “Erez” checkpoint.

Issam Abu Daqqa, a leader in the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, told Al-Quds.com that all the factions in the follow-up committee for the national and Islamic forces that participated in the meeting, including the Fatah movement, stressed the necessity of holding elections, and that they are the right of the Palestinians in Gaza.

Abu Daqqa stated that all factions expressed their willingness to overcome obstacles to make the elections a success, including the leadership of the Hamas movement, which confirmed its readiness to do so as it is the current party managing the situation in Gaza.

He pointed out that the delegation of the Elections Commission expressed its willingness to make more efforts and make contacts with the government as it is the one responsible for issuing the decision regarding holding the elections, indicating that the committee will put the government in a state of readiness of the factions to hold the elections, and that the conditions in the sector are favorable for this step, and that everyone will make every effort. Every effort is made to make it a success as a prelude to student and general elections later.

Regarding whether the Palestinian government obstructed during the past few days the arrival of the committee’s delegation to Gaza, the leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine denied that news, indicating that it was for technical reasons related to the necessary permit arrangements on the part of the occupation.

For his part, a member of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian People’s Party, Walid Al-Awad, said that this meeting was the culmination of a general meeting held last August, after which an invitation was sent to the Chairman of the Elections Committee to visit the Gaza Strip and meet with the factions, considering that the committee is the executive body, and a decision must be issued by the Council of Representatives. Ministers hold elections.

Al-Awad indicated in an interview with Al-Quds.com that the meeting emphasized overcoming obstacles, and that there is a consensus on the necessity of holding local elections as soon as possible.

He pointed out that it was agreed to send a message to Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, in which the factions confirm their preparations to hold elections and work to overcome all obstacles facing them.

Al-Awad stated that the current step will focus on conveying this message orally through the head of the Central Elections Commission, and then a written message will be sent by the factions to the Prime Minister, which will include 3 points, related to confirming that the elections will be held in accordance with the applicable local elections law, and that a decision will be issued. The government will set its date, and executive supervision will be from the Elections Commission in accordance with previously concluded agreements.

For his part, Hisham Kahil, Executive Director of the Central Elections Committee, said in statements to reporters after the end of the meeting, that the committee’s delegation arrived at the invitation of the National Forces Follow-up Committee, and the factions were heard, all of which expressed their willingness to hold these elections and remove all obstacles to them.

He pointed out that the committee was prepared to convey this positive atmosphere, and the factions’ assurances it brought about the necessity of holding elections, to decision-makers in the Palestinian government in Ramallah.

He pointed out that there will be other meetings in the near future, and that the committee will seek to overcome all obstacles and will make every effort necessary to achieve this popular demand in Gaza.