Ma'an Bethlehem – The Palestinian Legislative Council elections campaign is under way. Beginning Tuesday morning, 3 January, candidates have 20 days to convince voters of their platforms.
In accordance will Palestinian Elections Law, candidates are allowed to campaign until 23 January. The elections will take place on 25 January.
But in Jerusalem campaigning either did not begin at all, or began secretively, as Israeli police arrested campaigners and candidates, and broke up political party meetings.
The Israeli military police beat PLC member Hatem Abdel Kader and arrested Dr. Moustafa Barghouti Tuesday.
The Israeli government is not allowing Jerusalem residents to participate in the electoral process, and said Tuesday they will pull down campaign posters. Nonetheless, the Central Elections Commission has issued the final list of candidates for the elections.
The campaigning successfully began with Tuesday's early morning throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Statistics from the Central Elections Commission reports that 1,350,000 Palestinians have the right to vote. Among them are 800,000 Palestinian voters affiliated with Islamic and national factions.
The first day passed easily in all districts other than Jerusalem. Campaign posters were filled with words to fight lawlessness and promises that appear difficult to keep, such as ensuring security and ending the occupation.