The most exciting elections since the U.S. elections. It should be interesting on what happens if Hamas wins over Fatah, they would be force to change or lose funding from the U.S. as well as the E.U. And what about the terror organizations who say voting is against Islam? Could create some friction.
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Neck and neck, Hamas and Fatah out in force for election day
By Haaretz Staff and Agencies
With polls predicting a close race between the ruling Fatah movement and the militant Hamas organization, both parties were out in full force early Wednesday as voting opened in the Palestinian legislative elections.
At a polling station in the upscale Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, Hamas activists warmly greeted voters.
About a dozen male activists wearing Hamas’ trademark green hats and bandanas held computerized lists of voters, and assigned volunteer drivers to transport supporters to the station.
On the opposite side, five Hamas women - covered in full-length black robes and veils over their faces - handed out hats and cards with candidates’ names. Fatah activists were nowhere to be seen.
But in the nearby Beach refugee camp, both parties formed long reception lines to welcome the voters. Fatah activists, wearing the party’s black and white scarves decorated with Palestinian flags, mingled with voters, and the party transported voters in on buses.
The camp was decorated in a sea of flags - green for Hamas, yellow for Fatah - and the sense of excitement in the air was palpable. Some vehicles were decorated with carnations, as if a wedding were taking place.
Hamas has won over voters with a tightly organized campaign focusing on local issues, such as public services and the need to clean up government, while playing down its violent ideology. In contrast, Fatah has been plagued by disarray, infighting and widespread perceptions of corruption.
“Something inside me led me to vote for Hamas because we are tired of corruption,” said Samer Lulu, a 29-year-old merchant in Gaza City, voicing a popular sentiment. “With religious people at least we will have our public money in clean hands.”
“Historically Fatah has been the only group leading the Palestinian march,” said Wissam Abu Ajina, 28, who voted for the party in the northern Gaza village of Beit Lahiya.
He said he feared the rise of Hamas would isolate the Palestinians internationally. “It’s an armed group. It doesn’t have good relations with the West,” he said.
According to information obtained by Haaretz, Hamas appears to have a slight advantage in the district races, while Fatah has an edge in the national race.
Half of the 132-member parliament will be elected in district races and half via national lists.
In particular, Hamas appears to have a clear advantage over Fatah in four of the five districts of the Gaza Strip - northern Gaza, Gaza City, Dir al-Balah and Khan Yunis - which will send a total of 21 representatives to parliament.
Hamas is also expected to do well in the large West Bank districts of Hebron and Nablus, which will send a total of 15 representatives to parliament.