PA (Palestinian) elections to be held in same framework of ’96 vote

Ma'ariv ^ | 20 December 2004 | Ilil Shahar

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PA elections to be held in same framework of ’96 vote

Israeli and Palestinian officials have decided. In 1996 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem voted by casting their ballots at post offices.
Ilil Shahar

The January 9 elections in the Palestinian Authority are to be held in the same framework as the PA ballot in 1996, Israeli and Palestinian officials have agreed. In 1996, Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem voted by casting their ballots at post offices.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s top advisor Dov Weisglass and political advisor Shalom Turjeman finalized the general framework during a meeting with Secretary of the Palestinian Cabinet Hassan Abu-Libda and Minister Saeb Erekat, held last night in Jerusalem.

Officials at the PM’s bureau said a meeting of a larger forum would take place later this week, to finalize the details.

Last week, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel would do its best not to interfere in the elections. “We will reduce friction to a minimum”, Mofaz told a gathering at the Herzliya Conference.

“We would leave all Palestinian cities for 72 hours. We do not wish to be accused of sabotaging the process”, the defense minister added.

(2004-12-20 00:51:15.0)

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Just as in 1996 there will be no real choice and only the slightest trappings of Democracy. This will merely crown Mahmoud Abbas as the new Palestinian dictator.