Court dismisses Palestinian cabinet decision to delay local polls

 Ramallah: The Palestinian Higher Justice Court dismissed on Monday a cabinet decision which postponed the local elections and considered it illegal.

The local elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which were scheduled to be held on July 17, were delayed following the decision of Hamas, which rules the Strip, not to take part in the polls..

Other Palestinian parties and factions which were disappointed with the decision moved the court which said that postponing or cancelling the local elections directly violates the law No. 10 and the codes of democracy. The court stressed that the cabinet does not have the right to cancel the local elections.

Following the decision, the Palestinian Electoral Committee is expected to come up with a new date for the elections.

Bassam Al Salihi, Secretary-General of the People’s Party, called on the government to honour the court verdict and initiate procedures to facilitate conduct of the elections as early as possible.