Statement on Palestinian Legislative
Council Elections
(December 28, 2005)
The Quartet welcomes the upcoming Palestinian
Legislative Council elections as a positive step
toward consolidation of Palestinian democracy and the goal of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. The Quartet calls on the Palestinian
Authority and the Central Elections Commission to
ensure a free, fair, and open process in accordance
with Palestinian law. The Quartet noted the continued
importance of security in this regard, and calls on
the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to
ensure law and order, prevent terrorist attacks and
dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism.
The Palestinian Authority must also assure the security
of polling stations and of Central Election Commission
personnel, enforce existing law, regulations, and decrees,
particularly those prohibiting the public display of
weapons, external financing of campaigns, and the use
of religious facilities for campaign purposes.
The Quartet recalled its September
20 statement, together with the Secretary General's
subsequent statement on behalf of the Quartet that ultimately
those who want to be part of the political process should
not engage in armed group or militia activities, for
there is a fundamental contradiction between such activities
and the building of a democratic state. In this regard,
the Quartet calls on all participants to renounce violence,
recognize Israel's right to exist, and disarm. The Quartet
is encouraged by the negotiation of a Code of Conduct
governing participation in the legislative council election.
It calls on all parties and candidates in the Palestinian
Legislative Council elections to agree and fully adhere
to this Code to ensure an environment conducive to free
and fair elections and international observer support.
The Quartet welcomed the Palestinian Authority’s
invitation to international election observers.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority
should take additional steps to ensure the democratic
process remains untainted by violence, by prohibiting
political parties from pursuing their aims through violent
means, and by moving expeditiously to codify this as
Palestinian law. In particular, the Quartet expressed
its view that a future Palestinian Authority Cabinet
should include no member who has not committed to the
principles of Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and an unequivocal
end to violence and terrorism.
The Quartet believes it is essential
that direct dialogue begin immediately between the Israeli
government and the Palestinian Authority to coordinate
preparations for the Legislative Council elections.
Proactive measures are essential to the movement of
voters, elections committee staff and materials, and
international observers throughout the election process,
as outlined in the Roadmap.
Both parties should work to put in place a mechanism
to allow Palestinians resident in Jerusalem to exercise their legitimate democratic rights, in conformity
with existing precedent.
Sources: United Nations Secretary General |