Hamas leader warns against election fraud

12/6/2004 9:00:00 PM GMT

In a press conference in Gaza city, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, a prominent Hamas leader, warned that the Palestinian legislative council’s latest measures were heralding an election fraud.

He said that Hamas resistance movement addressed a message to the council protesting the adoption of the civilian registration records as the only authority for casting ballots in the country's upcoming elections, scheduled for January 9.

The group, moreover, protested against giving a larger quota for women than the previous election, he noted, adding that Hamas was never against giving women their rights, but such distinction would encourage other groups to demand special quotas similar to women.

Answering reporters’ questions, Al Zahhar stressed that Hamas delegates asked PLO executive committee chairman and Fatah nominee to the PA presidential election Mahmoud Abbas to set a date for the legislative elections, not exceeding June 2005.

Zahhar warned that the election procedures would be stalled if the Palestinian people felt any attempt to forge their will. He also called for the re-formation of the central elections committee.

Mahmoud Al-Zahhar also denied tabling new cease-fire initiative with Israel.

Zahhar said that his movement would exert efforts to help in the re-structuring the PLO before discussing joining it. He also said that he expected the matter to be on top of the agenda of Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mishaal’s discussions with the PLO chairman, Abbas during the latter’s visit to Syria.