Palestinians Extend Voting As Turnout Low

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Palestinians initially said polls were being kept open another two hours because of heavy turnout. Subsequently, however, officials said the polls were being kept open to encourage turnout, which was only about 30 percent of 1.8 million eligible voters....
One election official said the panel came under heavy pressure from Fatah to keep polls open longer amid growing concerns that a low turnout could strengthen Abbas' challenger, Mustafa Barghouti, an independent.
...
In Jerusalem, there was some confusion over voter lists that was eventually resolved with the help of international observers, including former President Carter. Jerusalem is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and both peoples claim it as their capital.

Israel said it was ready to meet with Abbas shortly after the election. Senior Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said Israel was prepared to release Palestinian prisoners if Abbas could halt Palestinian rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said he hoped Israel would release more Palestinian prisoners and added that the United States was ready to help the new Palestinian president with financial aid and assistance on reforming the government. He spoke of a new opportunity in an interview on ABC's "This Week" from Nairobi, Kenya.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-palestinians-decide,0,7342868.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[AlbizuX]

1. i hope barghouti wins...

Abbas is a stooge with no support, and I'd like to see Israel and the U.S. squirm....

[madrchsod]

2. interesting that the newsday report

is different than the bbc and aljazzera`s report. although turnout in several cities is low do to various factors the vote in the rural areas is very heavy. the reporting of gun fire is a disservice to the effort on everyone who has tried to keep the voting process going smoothly and above all the assurance of the people will be able to vote unafraid.
i have gotten to the point that i no longer rely on any american news organization for anything that resembles the truth in what is happening in the world.

[tx_dem41]

3. Agreed that it is a funny article...the BBC report is saying that its

being extended because of heavy turnout (among other reasons).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4158517.stm