RAMALLAH, September 6, 2016 (WAFA) – Data of the preliminary register of electoral lists and candidates showed that 26% of the total number of candidates are females and 74% are males, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) said on Tuesday.

Youth aged 25 to 35 scored the highest number of candidates in the electoral lists with a percentage of 31%, whereas 29% of the total number of candidates are aged 36 to 45, 25% are aged 46 to 55 and 15% of candidates are above the age of 55.

The CEC said the highest percentage of youth candidates under the age of 36 is in Salfit in the north of the West Bank representing 42% of the total number of candidates.

The lowest percentage of youth candidates of 21% has been marked in Jerusalem.

Local elections are scheduled for October 8 in the 416 councils, of which 391 councils are in the West Bank and 25 in the Gaza Strip.

The CEC published on Monday names of the approved electoral lists.

It said 864 electoral lists have been approved in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip including 458 independent lists, 271 Fatah affiliated lists, 42 lists for the Democratic Coalition, 41 lists representing a coalition of political parties and factions, 22 lists for the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, 13 lists for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, six lists for the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, six lists for the Palestinian People Party, three lists for the Palestinian National Initiative, one list for Palestinian Liberation Front and one list for Watan movement.

The CEC said the lists showed that 182 electoral lists have won by acclamation, 136 of which are affiliated to Fatah, 23 are independent, 1 list for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and 22 coalition party lists.

M.A.