United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today congratulated Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people on the peaceful and orderly conduct of their legislative elections. “The Secretary-General views these elections as an important step toward the achievement of a Palestinian State,” a UN spokesman said in a statement. “He looks forward to the publication of the results of the elections over the coming days and to discussing them with the Quartet.” In Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Annan, responding to press questions about the developments in the Palestinian legislative elections, said that “any group that wishes to participate in the democratic process should ultimately disarm.” Read more about Annan congratulates Palestinian people on peaceful and orderly elections 

On Monday evening, 23 January 2006, early voting of Palestinian security forces for the Palestinian legislative commenced have been completed. Voting of security forces started on Saturday morning, 21 January 2006, and has continued for 3 days, in accordance to amendments to article 73 of the Elections Law No. 9 of 2005, which allow security forces to vote on the three days that precede the official date of election. According to the Central Election Commission, by 15:00, 53227 security personnel (90%) had voted. The number of security personnel who have the right to vote in polling centers throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is 58705, including 36091 in the Gaza Strip. Read more about Palestinian Elections: Third day voting of the security forces 

Looking to next week’s Palestinian legislative elections, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged all those eligible to participate and voiced hope that this milestone will set the stage for peace and Statehood. “You deserve a free, fair and peaceful election,” Mr. Annan said in a message to the Palestinian people released in New York. “Your electoral commission is doing outstanding work under difficult circumstances.” He stressed that action at the ballot box will help set the course for the future, encouraged all to vote on 25 January and pledged that the UN “will remain steadfastly committed to helping you to achieve a state of your own.” Read more about Annan urges Palestinians to vote in upcoming elections 

Election observers from 22 countries have arrived to observe election preparations and voting as part of a multinational delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute in partnership with The Carter Center. The observers will attend orientation briefings over the next two days and will be deployed on election day, Wednesday Jan. 25, to locations in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. The 80-member delegation is being led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, and former Spanish Foreign Minister and current member of the Spanish Parliament Ana Palacio. Read more about International observers arrive for Palestinian elections 

On Sunday, 22 January 2006, early voting of Palestinian security forces for the Palestinian Legislative Council continued for the second consecutive day. Voting of security forces started on Saturday morning, 21 January 2006, and will end on Monday evening, 23 January 2006, in accordance to the amendments to article 73 of the Elections Law No. 9 of 2005, which allow security forces to vote on three days preceding the official date of election. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), 49.6% of security personnel in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip voted on the first day. By 15:00 on the second day of voting, 75.9% of security personnel had voted. Read more about Palestinian Elections: Second day voting of the security forces 

On Saturday morning, 21 January 2006, early voting of Palestinian security forces for the Palestinian Legislative Council commenced in accordance to amendments to article 73 of the Elections Law No. 9 of 2005, which allows security forces to vote on three days preceding the official date of election. These days were decided on as 21, 22 and 23 January 2006. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), the number of security personnel who have the right to vote in polling centers throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is 58,705, including 36,091 in the Gaza Strip. Elections are held in polling centers specified and fully supervised by the CEC. Read more about Palestinian Elections: First day voting of the security forces 

Israeli forces have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Since the beginning of this year, Israel has separated the north of the West Bank from other Palestinian communities. These measures have coincided with the initiation of the campaigns for Palestinian parliamentary elections. Since the beginning of this year, Israeli forces have operated Qalandya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem, and have transformed Za’tra checkpoint, south of Nablus, into a crossing. Read more about Severe Restrictions on Movement in the West Bank Impact the Election Campaigns 

The UN Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) refuted accusations that it had reduced the quality of medical care for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, following reports of deteriorating health services. “UNRWA has reduced neither the quantity nor the quality of medical care,” said Hoda al-Turk, assistant public information officer at UNRWA. “On the contrary, it has signed an agreement with a hospital that offers first class medical care at a very reasonable cost.” BUH is situated 40 km and 75 km respectively from the southern camps of Sidon, and Tyre. More than 60 km separate it from the northern camps of Tripoli, and 75 km from the camps of Baalbak in the east. Read more about No reduction in medical care for refugees, says UNRWA 

PLC candidates in Jerusalem confirm that the Palestinian Election Process in terms of candidacy and voting is a sacred right for all Palestinians. The Candidates insist that the Legislative Council Elections should be held as scheduled, and should not be postponed due to disruption caused by the Israeli authorities. The Candidates commend the favorable position and statements of the International Community and Agencies in support of fair, free and transparent elections in occupied East Jerusalem. They request US and EU officials to boost up their initiatives that propose additional polling stations to allow for fair elections and support proposals to place their premises at the disposal of the CEC to be used as polling stations. Read more about PLC candidates protest against Jerusalem arrangements