A poll conducted in the Palestinian territories in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has revealed that either Hamas or Fatah movement will not harvest the majority of votes following the next legislative elections scheduled in May.
As the two leading factions in Palestine are expected not to acquire the majority so they must unite or coordinate with minor factions to form the new government.
It is worth noting that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decreed to hold the legislative elections on May 22.
The upcoming elections will be the first within 15 years since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2006.
The observers at the Palestinian Center for Policy and Surveying Research (PCPSR) say that the electoral process goes on the right path but they warn that the stubborn odds between Hamas and Fatah may lead to cancellation or postpone the next elections.
The observers pointed out that if the elections hold now Fatah’s list will win 43% of the votes, Hamas 30%.
About 18% of the sample said they didn’t determine their choice so far.
The poll revealed that the faction led by Mohamed Dahlan, an ex-official of Fatah who has resided in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since his dispute with Abbas years ago, will win 10% of the votes.
The sample of the poll included 1200 Palestinians of residents of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank with 3% as a margin of error.
Khalil Al-Shqaqqy, CEO of the Palestinian Center for Political and Surveying Research said that he considers Fatah as the best option for the electorate to disperse fears of the Palestinian population, restore the national unity, improve the stagnated economy and lift the Israeli blockade from Gaza.
Al -Shqaqqy warned that the internal conflicts within Fatah may weaken the faction compared with Hamas which enjoys formidable unity.
He went on to say that Hamas is not expected to have a landslide victory as it did in the 2006 elections.
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