Election Update No.10

Date: 21 January 2006

Violations of Electoral Campaigns Regulations

Universities Utilized for Campaigning

Article 64 of Elections Law No. 9 of 2005 regulates election campaigning.  Paragraph 2 of this article obligates candidates to abstain “from holding rallies and public meetings in mosques, churches, near hospitals, or in premises used by governmental and public institutions.”

Over the past few days, PCHR observers have noticed a series of campaigning violations, in the form of utilizing universities for legislative elections campaigning.  Al-Azhar University, the Islamic University, and al-Aqsa University have been involved in these violations.  Election banners and posters have been displayed on campus at the universities.  Al-Azhar University and al-Aqsa University have posters and banners for Fatah and electoral list candidates displayed.  The Islamic University has posters and banners of Hamas activists displayed.  In addition, Fatah and Hamas activists organized election rallies in al-Azhar University and the Islamic University:

·  On 16 January 2006, Fatah organized a commemoration ceremony at al-Azhar University on the anniversary of the assassination of 3 of its leaders.  A number of Fatah candidates attended the ceremony.  Some gave speeches, in which they asked for support during the elections.  Fatah activists distributed the Fatah election platform to the participants.

·  On 19 January 2006, Hamas organized the “9^th Al-Quds Artistic Fair” at the Islamic University.  The fair included campaign-type activities for Hamas candidates.  Hamas supporters hung a large picture of the candidate Jamal al-Khodari, who is close to Hamas.  In addition, buses bringing visitors to the fair displayed pictures of Hamas candidates.  Dr. Mahmoud Zahhar, a Hamas candidate, gave a speech in which he mentioned the legislative elections.

PCHR calls upon all candidates to abide by campaigning regulations and to stop all violations.  In addition, PCHR calls upon all candidates to keep public institutions free from any campaigning activities.  Furthermore, PCHR calls upon the administrations of universities to put an end to all campaigning activities and to remove existing violations.

Campaign picture for candidate Jamal al-Khodari at a gate of the Islamic University in Gaza City

Fatah banners at a gate of al-Azhar University in Gaza City

Campaign pictures of some candidates at entrance of al-Aqsa University in Gaza City

             ***************

For more information please call: +972 (0)- 8 - 2824776 – 2825893.* 

*Office Hours are between 0800 – 1600 hours (0500 GMT – 1300 GMT) Sun – Thurs.

……………………………………………………………

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip tel/fax: +972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893

email: pchr@pchrgaza.org      website: www.pchrgaza.org