Gaza City [Gaza], April 26: Palestinians in Deir Al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip were voting on Saturday in their first municipal elections in more than 20 years and the first since the Gaza war.
Observers saw the poll, in which 70,000 residents were eligible to vote, as largely symbolic but said it could provide a model for future elections.
The election was organized by the Palestinian Authority (PA) of President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Fatah movement, which administers parts of the West Bank.
Palestinian group Hamas drove Fatah out of the Gaza Strip in 2007 after Hamas won the 2006 elections to the Palestinian National Council.
The Times of Israel newspaper said it remained unclear whether Hamas would recognize the results of the Deir al-Balah election. While the Israeli military has seized control of more than half of the Gaza Strip amid the latest war with Hamas, the group has re-established control of the remaining part.
In the past, the militia has appointed the municipal councils in the Palestinian areas and not permitted local elections.
According to media reports, some of the candidates standing are seen as close to Hamas, while the organization has not offered official support to any.
Speaking to Arab and US media, Deir Al-Balah residents expressed hope that a newly elected municipal council would improve living conditions for the city's residents.
Source: Qatar Tribune
