[shamrock_uk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4158517.stm

Problems beset Palestinian poll Early problems have hit the Palestinian election, with hundreds of people prevented from voting at a major polling station in Jerusalem. Palestinians told the BBC that Israeli officials were turning voters away, even though they had the correct forms. Former US President Jimmy Carter, who was monitoring the poll at the station, said it was not going well. Ex-Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is widely expected to be chosen as the successor to the late Yasser Arafat. Opinions polls have given Mr Abbas, leader of the main Fatah party, a clear lead over the pro-democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti, who is standing as an independent, and five other candidates. But analysts say Mr Abbas would need a strong win - perhaps up to two-thirds of the vote - to go forward with his agenda. Palestinian militant group Hamas has called for a boycott of the vote. Earlier, casting his vote at the West Bank compound in Ramallah where Arafat is buried, Mr Abbas said the vote was taking place in a "marvellous" fashion. "It is an illustration of how the Palestinian people aspire to democracy," he said. Many voters are having to make their way past Israeli checkpoints and road blocks to reach polling stations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Voting is reported to be brisk, after a slow start. The polls close at 1900 (1700 GMT), with the final result expected on Monday. About 1.1 million Palestinians have registered to vote in their first presidential election since 1996. Roadblocks Israel says it has done what it can to ease travel restrictions for the vote, including removing a number of temporary roadblocks. But some Palestinians say they have not gone far enough. ELECTION FACTS Candidates: Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah), Mustafa Barghouti, Tayser Khalid (DFLP), Bassam al-Salhi (leftist), Sayyed Baraka Abdul Karim Shubayr, and Abdul Halim Ashqar Hamas is boycotting vote Voting at 3,000 polling stations between 0500 and 1700 GMT 1.8 million eligible voters More than 500 international observers and thousands of local monitors Official result on 10 January "Major checkpoints are still in place, but there was never an intent to remove them," an Israeli army spokesman said. "It's obvious they must stay in place for security reasons. Terrorist threats still have to be dealt with." Some Palestinians say they are excited at the chance to pick their leader in Sunday's vote, reports the BBC's James Reynolds in Jerusalem. But others say the ballot will make little difference to their lives. Observer teams led by Mr Carter and former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard are touring checkpoints to see whether restrictions are being eased. But Mr Rocard, who heads the European Union election's monitoring mission, told the BBC he did not expect any major problems. Mr Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, has said he will ask current Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei to form a new government if he wins the election. He has also said there is no option but to work with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and "do our best to convince him of Palestinian rights". Both Mr Abbas and Mr Barghouti are regarded as moderates, and both have used the campaign to criticise aspects of the four-year-old Palestinian uprising, or intifada. On the eve of voting, acting President Rawhi Fattuh announced that Palestinian parliamentary elections would be held on 17 July. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...st/4158517.stm Published: 2005/01/09 10:00:30 GMT © BBC MMV

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