Election Update No.5

Date: 19 January 2006

Violations of Electoral Campaigns Regulations

The Ministry of the Interior and National Security Responds Positively to PCHR's Demands to Remove Aspects of Electoral Campaigns from the Ministry's Website

On Wednesday, 18 January 2006, Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, received a letter from the Media Department of the Ministry of the Interior and National Security (a copy of which is annexed to this update) stating that the news published on the Ministry's website was an unintentional mistake by editors, and that the staff members of the editing department were instructed to comply to the Press Law.    

On Wednesday, 18 January 2006, PCHR reported in its Election Update No. 1 that the website of the Ministry of Interior and National Security had published news on the electoral campaigns of Fatah candidates over the past few days.  PCHR considered that the publication of such news impacted the Palestinian National Authority's neutrality in elections, in violation of article 59-3 of Elections Law No. 9 of 2005.  PCHR called upon the Ministry of Interior and National Security and the Central Election Commission to stop such aspects of electoral campaigns. 

PCHR highly appreciates the Ministry's decision to remove all aspects of electoral campaigns on its website.  PCHR also hopes that all violations of the election campaigns regulations will be ended.   

Palestine Liberation Organization

Palestinian National Authority

Ministry of Interior and National Security

Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Re: News Published on the Website of the Ministry of Interior and National Security

The Media Department of the Ministry of Interior and National Security would like to send you regards and asserts that the news published in the past few days related to the candidates of Fatah movement was an unintentional mistake by editors, and all staff members of the editing department have been instructed to commit to the provisions of the Press Law. 

With respect,

Ministry of Interior and National Security

Media Department

18 January 2006

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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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