Gaza votes

Around 60,000 Palestinian security force personnel voted in the Legislative Council Election on early Saturday to be available for duty in the main January 25 poll, the first to be contested by Hamas in West Bank, Gaza Strip and Arab East Jerusalem.

“It is a very important day for our people because all parties are participating,” said police officer Hisham Saqala. A poll published by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre says that Fatah will get 32.3 per cent votes and Hamas 30.2 per cent.

Popularity of Hamas has grown due to Palestinian uprising, Gaza pullout, and accusations of corruption within Fatah. Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah told supporters on Friday “that if it won, the organisation would be at their service.”

Senior election official Ammar Dweik said that 17 polling stations had been set up in West Bank and Gaza. Ballot boxes would be kept at polling stations under police watch protection. — Reuters