BICOM

Early indicators suggest that the Fatah Party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas may have won control of just six of eleven major West Bank towns in local Palestinian elections, losing to independent candidates in the remaining five.

Local Palestinian elections, which took place yesterday was the first opportunity for West Bank Palestinians to go to the polls in any format for six years. In total, elections were held in 93 West Bank towns and villages, with close to 55 per cent of 505,000 eligible voters casting ballots.

Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, boycotted yesterday’s elections and did not hold a vote in Gaza. Yet, despite the non-participation of its fiercest political rival Hamas, Fatah appears to have lost out to lists of independent candidates, largely comprised of breakaway Fatah factions. Independent lists have seemingly won control in four towns including Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah. Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, never traditionally a Fatah stronghold, a list of leftists and independents are claiming victory. However, Fatah appears to have won a council majority in six towns – Hebron, Qalqiliya, Jericho, Tulkarm, Salfit and El Bireh.

Speaking to the local media, Fatah spokesman Ahmed Assad claimed that the results showed “huge support for the party and its programme.” However, Palestinian pollster Nader Said commented that the results would be a blow to Fatah and Abbas, saying “The elections reflected people’s disappointment in the leadership’s ability to lead them to a common goal.”

Official election results are expected to be released later today.