Waging Peace: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Electoral Developments and Reform

In 2009, The Carter Center, in cooperation with The Arab Thought Forum and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), initiated an electoral reform project in Palestine. This project provided a unique forum for political party representatives and civil society members to discuss electoral reform in Palestine and was the only platform for dialogue between the political parties, including Fatah and Hamas, outside the Cairo reconciliation discussions. The project built consensus on critical electoral reforms by facilitating dialogue between key stakeholders as well as promoting constructive public debate on various issues, including the overall design of the electoral system, quotas for minorities and women, and measures to facilitate voting in East Jerusalem.

Increased dialogue and debate also aimed to contribute to broader efforts to initiate political reconciliation of the major Palestinian political parties. Expanding on this project, The Carter Center and the UNDP launched the Initiative on Dialogue, Consensus Building, and Civic Awareness in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (IDCC) in August 2010. In addition to conflict resolution activities, this project specifically aims to support further electoral reform and democratic governance by building consensus on steps to regularize interim appointments to municipal councils and enhancing Palestinian electoral dispute resolution. A project steering committee, composed of leaders from several Palestinian political parties, was a key element in the initial electoral reform project. The committee has continued to support these activities through IDCC, meeting on a periodic basis to discuss and help build political consensus around these efforts.

In May 2011, Palestinian factions signed a reconciliation agreement which, among other things, called for elections after one year. Prior to signing this agreement, presidential and legislative council elections were postponed on several occasions. Recent discussions indicate potential support for holding elections. The Carter Center, which has observed all Palestinian elections since 1996 and maintained an ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 2005, supports efforts to hold democratic, inclusive elections and to renew the democratic mandate of Palestinian political leaders. Palestinian national unity remains critical to the success of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If the Palestinians cannot speak with one voice, it will be impossible for them to set effective national strategy and, ultimately, negotiate effectively with Israel.