During a seminar held by ACT Conflict and Resolution Institution in Ramadan, warnings by the community have been made about postponing the elections

ACT Conflict and Resolution Institution held an important seminar Tuesday evening on Zoom about the Palestinian elections after 15 years of waiting. The participants were from the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem and delegates from different electoral lists from both independent and faction lists. The speakers during the seminar where Director General of the Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections Aref Jafal, International elections expert Doctor Taleb Awad, lawyer and activist from Jerusalem Ms. Fatema Al Mo’qet, and Mr. Hazem Kawasmi who moderated the seminar.

Aref Jafal confirmed the importance of the continuation of the elections on its appointed time so that the leadership would not lose its credibility and trust, which is already limited, of the Palestinian people in all their places. This would happen due to the Palestinians being anxious for having a democratic election for the first time in 15 years for all the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Jafal also pointed out that good preparation should be made for the elections and coordinating with institutions of civil society that are connected to the election center committee so that the elections can be conducted in full transparency and credibility. He also pointed out that it is not acceptable now, after the issuance of the presidential decree and all the preparations that have been made, to postpone and delay the elections with unacceptable excuses and not important issues. As for Jerusalem, Mr. Aref Jafal confirmed that a s patriotic solution for the elections can be made that would be accepted by all actors and parties and would make a perfect representation for Jerusalem in the next legislative session and would refuse to delay the elections with the excuse that the Israelis would deny it from happening in Jerusalem.

Doctor Taleb Awad talked about the repercussions of delaying the Palestinian elections until further notice because it will lead to canceling the elections and not postponing in. He also pointed out that if the elections must be delayed, then an exact date should be agreed upon for the continuation of it so that it will meet the accepted credibility required. The election expert showcased all the levels and cases of the legislative elections and presidential elections since 1996 and how we reached the proportional representation system and its effect on the expected results of the legislative elections. In addition, he confirmed the existence of more than one solution to hold the elections in Jerusalem in case the Palestinian leadership decided to move on with the elections.

Lawyer and activist Ms. Fatema Al Mo’qet confirmed and supported that the elections be held at their exact time and not delay it. In addition, the elections in Jerusalem should be held despite the Israeli decisions, and that people from Jerusalem are proving day by day that can win over the occupation are capable of holding the elections in Jerusalem and are not waiting for a permission from Israel or anyone else. Al Mo’qet assured that the excitement and motivation of the Palestinians for the elections for Legislative lists and President and are waiting for their candidates to defend their rights and needs and take their voice to where it can’t be reached.

To be noted that the majority of the audience refused to delay the presidential elections and electoral list elections, and holding them at their appointed time. At last they warned about the rage and unacceptance of the Palestinians if that happened because they have been waiting for these elections for so long.