GAZA, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Lack of security and intimidation forced Fatah to cancel primaries meant to choose candidates for the upcoming legislative poll following acts of violence.
The electoral committee overseeing the poll issued held an emergency meeting and concluded that in view of the of "dangerous breaches and acts of violence" to stop the poll and cancel it in all the electoral constituencies.
The "primaries" held only in the Gaza Strip Monday were first disrupted in the cities of Deir al-Balah, Khan Younes and other localities in the central sector of the strip.
An official from the elections committee said Fatah gunmen forced the closure of more than 70 percent of polling stations due to internal disputes in the movement.
The official speaking to UPI on condition of anonymity said gunmen stormed more than eight stations in Dar el-Balah and Khan Younes, firing shots in the air to intimidate voters, only hours after 200,000 eligible voters headed to the polls.
Witnesses at a main station in Dar el-Balah said 10 gunmen stormed the place and caused panic among voters lined up outside the station to cast their votes.
Fatah Movement, the backbone of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority, is preparing to enter into tough competition with its traditional and popular foe, Hamas, in the Jan. 25 elections.
Fatah said earlier that the primaries in Rafah, scheduled for Monday, have been delayed till Wednesday for "technical and administrative reasons."
Fatah said 326 candidates are competing in the primaries over 49 seats.
In a related development, Israeli Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra said police will bar Fatah activists from placing ballot boxes in East Jerusalem where the primaries are to be held Tuesday.
Israel Radio quoted Ezra as saying Monday, "the ballot boxes will be placed in villages near Jerusalem only, but no boxes will be allowed inside the city."
Palestinians insist on holding the elections inside Jerusalem which they view as the capital of their future independent state.
