'Independents' dominate in Palestinian local elections

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories () — Independent candidates dominated the Palestinian local elections, winning 64 per cent of seats, up from just 37 per cent five years ago, according to official results released on Sunday.

But with established parties infiltrating independent lists, analysts were not immediately able to say how far the results from Saturday's vote truly amounted to more diverse representation.

The polls came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called off last year's planned presidential and legislative elections, after Israel barred voting from taking place in occupied East Jerusalem.

But the real reason for Abbas' 11th hour postponement was widely believed to be a likely legislative landslide for Hamas, the Islamist rivals to his secular Fateh movement.

Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, officially boycotted Saturday's municipal elections due to that postponement, but still fielded independents, according to analysts.

Fateh resorted to the same tactic, but as a damage limitation exercise, according to Jehad Harb, a Palestinian political analyst.

"There is frustration from Palestinian citizens" towards the Palestinian political establishment, Harb told AFP.

Abbas on Sunday nonetheless claimed victory, saying the results demonstrated “renewed confidence” in Fateh.

In the city of Jericho, a traditional Fateh stronghold, all five lists competing were independents.

Among the winners elsewhere was Islam Al Tawil, who was arrested by Israeli forces last week. He was elected as mayor of Al Bireh as head of a an independent list named Al Bireh Unites Us.

The Central Election Commission certified a final turnout of 53.7 per cent.

Held in 50 towns and cities, Saturday’s vote was the second phase of municipal polls after a first round of voting in December in 154 West Bank villages. There was no voting in Gaza.

No legislative or presidential elections have been held in the Palestinian territories for more than 15 years.