GAZA, July 5, 2012 (WAFA) – The United Nations Thursday expressed disappointment at a decision by Hamas to suspend work of the Central Elections Commission (CEC) in Gaza calling on it to reverse the decision and allow the CEC to resume its work without any delay.

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry described in a statement after visiting the headquarters of the CEC in Gaza the Hamas decision as “very disappointing.”

“The decision by the de facto authorities in Gaza to temporarily suspend voter registration in Gaza, scheduled from 3 to 4 July, was very disappointing, as both Palestinian reconciliation and the democratic renewal of institutions in the occupied Palestinian territory were long overdue,” he said.

He called on “those responsible to reverse the suspension and allow the CEC to resume this vital process without further delay.”

He stressed that “the United Nations would continue to support the important Egyptian-led efforts towards reconciliation.”

Serry said after visiting the CEC headquarters in Gaza to familiarize himself with its efforts concerning voter registration in Gaza, that he was “very impressed by the CEC’s professionalism and independence,” congratulating them on “the excellent preparatory work accomplished so far.”

The UN has provided ongoing assistance to the CEC in support of the electoral process in the occupied Palestinian territory, said Serry.

M.S.