RAMALLAH: Voter registration centers are open in Gaza, Ma'an News reports. Some 16,000 people have already registered since Monday. There are currently 257 voter registration centers that will be open until for one week in order to update the voter registry. The turnout was low; a surprising turn given that this is the first time in eight years the people of Gaza have been able to register. Once the registration ends, a vote could be held after three months, although no date has been set. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has met with the Central Elections Commission concerning the registration. The chief of the commission, Hanna Nasser, thanked Haniyeh and Hamas for helping facilitate his job. The Prime Minister went on to say that the votes were intended to promote national reconciliation. Representatives of Hamas and Fatah, who govern Gaza and the occupied West Bank respectively, met in Cairo in order to discuss a reformation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and a unity government. The talks failed to achieve any breakthroughs. Discussions apparently broke down due to Hamas' insistent that a unity government will not be headed by Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah. It is a bold step for the Hamas government, who has seen its support in the occupied West Bank skyrocket after Operation Cast Lead. Hamas came to power in 2006 and since then n0 elections have successfully taken place in the Palestinian territories.
