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Palestinian MPs approve new electoral system
 RAMALLAH, West Bank - Deputies cleared the way on Saturday for the holding of legislative elections when they approved proposals by Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas for a new electoral system. The speaker of parliament said that he now expected fresh elections to be held early next year although a final decision on a date will be made by Abbas. The parliament in Ramallah backed the new electoral law by a 43-14 majority which will see the number of deputies increase from 88 to 132. Half the deputies will be elected by proportional representation and the other half by Hamas PIJ Fatah Prince Nayef constituencies. Differences over the voting system had led to the postponement of elections earlier this month which had been slated to take place on July 17. MPs had previously approved a new system to increase the number of MPs, but two-thirds would continue to be elected by constituencies with the remainder by proportional representation. Abbas vetoed the law, partly because he had previously assured the radical Islamist movement Hamas that the new chamber would be elected on a 50-50 split. | Guaranteeing a Fatah:Hamas split and civil war. |
Parliament speaker Rawhi Fattuh said that it was not in the legislative council's remit to set the date for new elections. "That is the job of Abu Mazen (Abbbas) but I expect that the date for the new elections will be on January 20 next year," he told reporters. The only previous legislative elections were held on January 20, 1996. "We approved the law today for Abu Mazen," he added.
| "For me? You shouldn't have!" |
| No, really. You shouldn't have. |
Posted by: Steve White 2005-06-19 |
