RAMALLAH, September 22, 2016 (WAFA) – The current municipal councils in the West Bank and Gaza will continue to function as normal until the Supreme Court issues its decision on holding local elections, the cabinet said on Thursday.

The Supreme Court was supposed to hear on Wednesday views regarding a petition asking it to stop local elections citing problems in holding them in Jerusalem and Gaza.

The court, which ruled on September 8 to suspend all activities regarding holding local election until it issues its final ruling, postponed the Wednesday hearing until October 3, five days before the scheduled date for the elections.

The Central Elections Commission, which suspended all activities related to local elections after the Supreme Court ruling, said that as a result of the court postponing a decision until October 3, it will not be able to hold election on the scheduled date, virtually cancelling them.

The cabinet, which held it weekly meeting in Ramallah on Thursday, said in a statement issued at the conclusion of its session that it will honor the court’s decision and that it will re-assess the situation after the court issues it final verdict.

It said that until then, the current councils will remain in office and will continue to carry out their duties as usual.

M.A.