Hamas, Fatah agree to electoral code of conduct

Palestinian rival factions Fatah and Hamas agree in Cairo to a code of conduct to ensure upcoming elections are run based on “transparency and integrity.”

The parliamentary and presidential polls are set for May 22 and July 31, respectively, and will be the first Palestinian elections in 15 years.

In a copy obtained by AFP, the 25-point electoral code of conduct stresses the “criminalization and prohibition of using weapons… during electoral activities.”

The sides declare they are committed to respecting the results of the forthcoming elections. Other commitments focus on not “inciting violence” against candidates or voters heading to the polls.

Religious places of worship are not to be used for campaigning and candidates must refrain from igniting “sectarian” differences.