RAMALLAH, February 7, 2012 (WAFA) – Central Elections Commission (CEC) chairman Hanna Nasser Tuesday said work to update the voter registry in the Gaza Strip has not yet been allowed, according to a CEC statement.

Nasser told representatives of Palestinian political factions, who met him at his Ramallah office to discuss technical preparations for holding elections in the Palestinian Territory, that even though the CEC offices in Gaza are technically open, field operations are still suspended.

He said the CEC has not been allowed to carry out any operations until this date.

Nasser visited Gaza last week and met Hamas officials, including Ismail Haniyeh, who promised to facilitate CEC operations in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and Fatah have agreed to hold elections by May. However, the CEC said it needs at least six weeks to update its voter registration list in Gaza and three more months required by law to prepare for national elections.

President Mahmoud Abbas, said the CEC press release, was keen to finalize all election arrangements as soon as possible.

The faction representatives expressed support for the work of the CEC, said the statement, and stressed the importance of amending the elections law according to the reconciliation agreement.

M.S.