Palestinians recommend calling off upcoming vote

[oberliner]

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian election officials on Thursday recommended calling off January's presidential vote, a step that could result in embattled President Mahmoud Abbas staying in office indefinitely.

Abbas, who must approve the recommendation, had vowed not to run for re-election because of his frustration with stalled peace efforts. But few think he will resign outright if no election is held.

Hanna Nasser, chairman of the Palestinian election commission, blamed the rival Hamas militant group for holding up the vote. He said Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, had refused to cooperate with election workers, making it impossible to hold the Jan. 24 election.

"We planned to go to Gaza to figure out how we can conduct elections there," Nasser said. "In the meantime, we received an answer from Hamas that we are not welcome in Gaza. It is clear now that we cannot hold an election in Gaza."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKqXuX3_Bzz50169jSdgFVR-1lRgD9BU5GB00