Marwan Barghouthi, the jailed legislator and Fateh leader, won Fateh primaries in Ramallah region with 96 percent of votes, and will most likely win top spot on Fateh list ahead of the general elections.
44 other candidates were competing against Barghouthi who was arrested by the Israeli army during the “defensive Shield” operation during which the Israeli army reoccupied the Palestinian controlled areas.
Official results from other districts are not published yet, but most likely “Fateh younger generation” will emerge as big winners.
Israeli online daily, Ynetnews reported that the Fateh primaries were held in the West Bank on Friday, the vote was put off in Gaza by the Palestinian Authority in fear of clashes.
These elections are considered Fateh first ever elections, since it was established, where its candidates for the Palestinian Legislative council.
Candidates in the 1996 legislative elections were picked by the movement’s leadership, which was headed by the late Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat.
In spite of recent speculations regarding the possibility of rescheduling the legislative elections, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, issued an official decree ordering the elections to be held on their scheduled date, January 25, 2006.
