Palestine - bring on the elections

Meantime President Mahmoud Abbas continues to hold the reins of power as an unelected and unconstitutional President whose term expired on 9 January 2009.

Due to the conflict he had created by dismissing Haniya in 2007 Abbas unilaterally extended his term for another year and still continues in office in 2013 even after that second deadline expired.

As a result Hamas announced that it would not recognise the extension or view Abbas as rightful president.

Yet Abbas is still given the full Presidential treatment internationally wherever he travels.

Following Abbas's election as President on 9 January 2005 David Carroll, acting director of the Democracy Program and an active member of the Carter Center-NDI observer delegation to that election discussed the election process, its outcome and the wider implications for Middle East Peace.

He was asked the following question and gave the following response

Interviewer: What does this election mean to democracy in the region

Carroll: Many people see the Jan. 9 presidential election as an opportunity for a new leader to recommit to the peace process and make real progress in negotiations with Israel. In addition, however, the election sets an important example for the Arab world; it shows Arab peoples and leaders that citizens' yearnings for democracy can and should be met, and that democratic renewal strengthens political legitimacy. Further, like the recent elections in Indonesia, the Palestinian election is a reminder that Islam and democracy are not incompatible.

Carroll may indeed be proved right if events of the past few years in Yemen, Libya, Egypt and Syria are indicators.

The real test of democracy however is not the first election - it is the second election.

Sadly - any such moves to allow citizen yearnings for democracy continue to be denied in the one Islamic area where it is essential they be allowed - the West Bank and Gaza.

Whilst this sorry state of affairs continues the following words of the Bush Road Map remain meaningless:

A settlement, negotiated between the parties, will result in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours.