RAMALLAH, October 26, 2009 (WAFA)- Following the presidential decree issued on October 23, 2009 calling for presidential and legislative elections to be held on Sunday, January 24  2009, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) confirmed its readiness to administer general elections.

The CEC called on the relevant authorities, political parties and factions to cooperate with the commission to ensure elections are free, fair and transparent across all territories of the Palestinian National Authority: East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza Strip.

Despite the difficult internal situation in Palestine, the CEC said it maintains hope that the situation will improve in the near future,  stressing that the political circumstances should not  prevent anyone from viewing elections as a legal constitutional entitlement.

Accordingly, the CEC, as “an independent and neutral commission,” called on all electoral stakeholders to view elections from this legal perspective and to facilitate the work of CEC staff in all PNA territories to ensure the transparency and credibility of the upcoming elections.