Ref: 01/2006

Date:  05 January 2006

PCHR Completes Preparations for Monitoring the Elections

In cooperation with at least 30 NGOs, on Thursday, 5 January 2006, PCHR concluded preparations to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections, which will be held on 25 January.  PCHR has concluded the last training course for its observers in the northern Gaza Strip, while the election campaigns started on Tuesday, 3 January 2006.  The campaigns will end on Monday, 23 January 2006, two days before the scheduled date of elections. 

PCHR has monitored all stages of the electoral process, including campaigning before the scheduled official period, through 600 observers, half of whom are female, throughout the Gaza Strip.  PCHR has trained these observers and distributed them throughout the Gaza Strip: Rafah, 65 observers; Khan Yunis, 100 observers; the central Gaza Strip, 67 observers; Gaza, 161 observers; the northern Gaza Strip, 84 observers; plus 120 observers from the al-Dameer Association for Human Rights, who have joined PCHR’s monitoring campaign. 

PCHR is conducting the monitoring campaign in cooperation with several Palestinian NGOs, including the al-Dameer Association for Human Rights, the Women’s Affairs Center, the Palestine Bar Association, Sharek Youth Forum, and others. 

PCHR hopes that the parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled on 25 January 2006, and hopes they will be free and fair.  PCHR’s efforts to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the electoral process is driven by the importance of activating the democratic life in the Palestinian society.        

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