Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) chairman Hanna Nasser hails the high voter turnout of Saturday’s municipal elections in the West Bank.
Comission chief Hanna Nassir announces that 393,572 ballots were cast — “nearly 50 percent of voters.”
He says voter turnout was “almost exactly the same as in 2012.”
However, preliminary results indicate a weak showing by the ruling Fatah Party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, even though the rival Hamas terrorist group stayed out of the race.
In Hebron, the West Bank’s largest city, Fatah won just seven of 15 seats. And in Nablus, another major city, Fatah won 11 of 15 seats, but only after forming an alliance with Islamist candidates. Turnout in Nablus was just 21 percent.
Fatah’s popularity has been hurt by a weak economy and frozen peace efforts.
Official results are expected later today.
— Agencies
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