News / Middle East

Palestinians Hold Elections in West Bank

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas casts his vote for municipal elections at a polling station in Al-Bireh, next to the West Bank city of Ramallah, October 20, 2012.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas casts his vote for municipal elections at a polling station in Al-Bireh, next to the West Bank city of Ramallah, October 20, 2012.
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VOA News
Palestinians are voting in local elections Saturday across parts of the West Bank, the first time they have gone to the polls in six years.

The territory has over a half million registered voters.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, is boycotting the election.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement hope to win support in the elections in over 90 West Bank communities, in the absence of Hamas candidates.


Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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