Discussion session at MIFTAH on proposed amendments to the Elections Law in Palestine
By MIFTAH
March 07, 2019

Ramallah – On March 4, MIFTAH held a discussion session on introducing the proposed amendments and reforms to the Elections Law to promote equality regarding political participation of women and youth.

The session is part of MIFTAH’s program of “Policy dialogue and good governance” and its project “Support Women Participation in Public Life”, in cooperation with the Norwegian Representative Office. The meeting included representatives from the Central Elections Committee (CEC), The Independent Commission for Human Rights, The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity - AMAN, Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor (Al Marsad), the General Union of Palestinian Women, and several experts and academics.

Proposed priorities were discussed during the session for amendments and reforms to the Local Authorities Elections Law based on efforts made by MIFTAH and other civil society institutions and factions. The amendments are based on a research paper prepared by MIFTAH in 2018 on the available ways to introduce these amendments to the electoral system in Palestine on the back of public policy sessions held in April of last year, which produced several recommendations and proposals that reaffirmed the need to amend the electoral system and promote a climate of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.

The participants focused on three priorities: First, promoting the principle of equality in elections vis-à-vis women’s participation by a minimum of 30%; second, removing the restrictions on the candidacy age; and third, lowering the electoral threshold from 8% to 5%.

They also discussed the best electoral system within the Palestinian context (proportional representation system) that would promote pluralism, participation and equality.

The meeting concluded with the formation of a sub-committee to review the latest draft that included the reforms to the Local Authorities Elections Law, No. 10 of 2005. It will also prepare a demands paper reconfirming the agreed-to amendments and press for more efforts by civil society and political factions to push for these demands to reach decision-makers for adoption.

They also agreed to broaden the scope of consultation and dialogue with various parties to promote pluralism and equality in political participation and the electoral process.

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