Hamas: Elections cannot be held on time

[oberliner]

Ramallah – Ma’an – Hamas believes that elections simply cannot be held on schedule on 25 January 2010, sources in the movement in the West Bank told Ma’an on Sunday.

The sources stated several reasons for why the poll cannot be held on time. First, they said, both Hamas and Fatah are not ready for elections. Logistical arrangements have not been made; the public is not yet ready for elections. Safeguards of public freedoms have yet to be put in place and political arrests are ongoing. Election registers are yet to be prepared. Finally, in Hamas’ view, the split with Fatah must come to an end as a prerequisite to hold elections in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The Hamas sources asserted that if Palestinian factions and political parties agree on postponing the elections, this could still be done in a legal way, especially if it is done through the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=227860

Looks like Hamas is starting to see the writing on the wall - their days in power are numbered as the Palestinian people are getting ready to vote them out (when and if they are given the opportunity to do so).

[LeftishBrit]

1. Probably means they think they'll lose.