West Bank Palestinians vote in municipal elections

Polls opened early today as Palestinians in the West Bank voted in municipal elections for the first time in 28 years.

More than 150,000 Palestinians are eligible to vote in 26 communities in a vote that is seen as a warm-up for the January 9 presidential elections.

In Jericho, activists gathered at one of the campaign headquarters with their cars, preparing to drive voters to the voting stations. However, most stations there were late opening.

In the village of Doha near Bethlehem, long lines formed outside the stations. The elections will be the first electoral test for the ruling Fatah party in nearly a decade.

On a local level, Fatah is facing a strong challenge from the Islamic Hamas group, which has gained popularity in recent years with its network of welfare services, schools and clinics.

But analysts said many voters would put clan and family loyalties ahead of party affiliation.

Voting in an additional 600 towns and villages, with a total of 1.2 million voters, will likely take place in 2005. The last municipal elections were held in 1976.

In recent weeks, the 26 communities have been plastered with election posters. The campaign ended on Tuesday night, with rallies in parks and town squares. Results are expected late today or early tomorrow.