Delegates cast their secret ballots during the election held under strict social distancI got guidelines inside the chamber of the General Assembly Hall at the UN headquarters in New York.
France has welcomed the decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to schedule legislative and presidential elections across the State of Palestine, including Gaza.
The French Foreign Ministry which stated this on Tuesday added that France would assist in the organisation of “impartial elections” in Palestine
Last week, Abbas issued a document confirming that the first general elections will be held since 2006, when voting to the Palestinian legislative assembly was won by Hamas.
The last presidential election was held in 2005 and won by President Abbas.
“France welcomes the adoption by President Abbas of the decree providing for the holding of legislative, presidential and Palestinian National Council elections from May 2021.
“This decision must now be translated into action to allow the elections to be organised throughout the Palestinian Territories,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also urged Israel to support the elections by facilitating the voting process, including in East Jerusalem.
Under the presidential decree, the voting to elect members of the legislative assembly will be held on May 22, and the presidential election is scheduled on July 31.
Those appointed to the legislative assembly will become members of the Palestinian National Council, which is to be formed by Aug. 31.
The voting will take place both in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. (Sputnik/NAN)