Gaza
The primaries for the main Palestinian party, Fatah, collapsed in chaos this week as gunmen stormed polling places and voters complained of fraud. In Gaza, gunmen took over polling stations, shooting into the air and saying the elections were rigged. In the West Bank, voters and officials alike agreed that fraud was rampant. “The elections took place in some areas and we will deal with the results of these areas in a positive way,” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “As for the areas in which elections did not take place, we will find a proper solution.” It was to be the first time voters got a chance to pick the candidates for the legislature. The last time there was an election, in 1996, Yasser Arafat chose the Fatah candidates. The parliamentary election is scheduled for January. The other main party, Hamas, will not have a primary; its leaders will pick its candidates.
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