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Palestinian Security Forces Begin Voting for Parliamentary Candidates
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Officers began voting Saturday in order to free them for duty
Wednesday when Palestinian civilians will cast ballots





Palestinian police line up for parliamentary elections at a polling
station in Gaza City

Palestinian security forces have begun early voting for parliamentary
candidates, in order to be free for duty during the official polling
time next week.

Nearly 60,000 security personnel are eligible to vote through Monday.
They will be deployed in the Palestinian territories during
Wednesday's parliamentary elections.



The ruling Fatah party is facing stiff competition from its chief
rival, the Islamic militant group Hamas, for the 132 seats in the
Palestinian parliament.

A new Palestinian opinion poll shows Fatah with a seven-point lead
over Hamas, while another survey puts the two groups in a virtual tie.
Hamas is taking part in the Palestinian legislative elections for the
first time.

Israel's Cabinet now says it will allow Arabs in East Jerusalem to
vote for the Palestinian parliament, but will not permit candidates
from Hamas to be on Jerusalem ballots. Some information for this
report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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