Election Update No. 2

Date: 18 January 2006

Violations of Electoral Campaign Regulations

Main Roads Closed due to Electoral Public Meetings

Article 61 of Elections Law No. 9 of 2005 prescribes that "each district office shall compile a list of all available locations and public venues within each constituency for the holding of rallies, public gatherings and electoral processions.  The constituency committee shall also specify in that list the venues and public sites designated for displaying electoral posters and banners."  As district offices have not been committed to this provision, public meetings have been organized by candidates and electoral lists indiscriminately.  This practice has impacted the electoral environment and has created tension. 

PCHR observers have documented a number of violations of these rules by candidates, including:

1)         On 6 January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas – organized a public gathering in al-Wihda Street in Gaza City in order to introduce its candidates for the upcoming legislative elections.  The road leading to the Unknown Soldier Square in the center of the city was closed for the duration of the meeting.  In addition, a gunshot was fired into the air during the meeting. 

2)         On 12 January 2006, Hamas organized a public gathering near al-Albani Mosque in the east of Jabalya refugee camp.  As a result, the main road in the area was completely closed. 

PCHR calls upon all candidates and electoral lists to organize their rallies, public gatherings and electoral processions in the locations and public venues specified by their district offices.  PCHR also calls upon the Central Election Commission to compile a list of available locations and public venues for the holding of rallies, public gatherings and electoral processions, and to specify the venues and public sites to be used for displaying electoral posters and banners.      

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

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

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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