Abbas casts his vote in local elections near Ramallah

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cast his vote on Saturday in Al Biereh near Ramallah.               

"It is a happy day for the Palestinian nation, to assure the democratic that is followed since 1996. As all the public organizations, legislative council, the presidency and the municipals, being voted directly in a democratic way, and I hope that this election will go in the same democratic way and freely with transparency without any interfering," Abbas said.               

Voters are expected to elect 245 village councils, 98 municipal councils and 10 local councils across Palestinian Territories.               

The continued divide between Hamas and Fatah has proved a source of upset and anger for ordinary Palestinians, who fear it undermines their fight for an independent state.               

With Hamas not standing, analysts say the best way to measure support for the party will be to look at voter turnout. Last time around, turnout was estimated at some 80 percent, so a sharp fall-off would show Hamas voters had stayed at home.               

Whatever the turnout, pro-Western Fatah could still lose what should have been an easy victory.               

The election is being contested by an array of independent candidates, including the West Bank's first all-female political party which is standing in the city of Hebron.     


REUTERS