Criticism of the PNC elections in Syria
Palestinian institutions and bodies in Syria reject the mechanisms for organizing the Palestinian National Council elections, warning against turning them into a formal process based on quotas and appointments, and calling for comprehensive democratic elections.
Palestinian institutions and bodies in Syria have expressed their rejection of the mechanisms adopted for organizing the Palestinian National Council elections. The signatories of the statement warned against turning the elections into a formal process based on quotas and appointments, instead of being a step towards rebuilding the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and renewing its legitimacy through democratic and comprehensive elections. The statement affirmed that the PLO remains the national umbrella, but stressed the need to rebuild its institutions on democratic foundations and end the state of hegemony and monopolization. It criticized the absence of Palestinian elections in recent years, considering that this has led to repercussions on the Palestinian political situation. The bodies called for adopting free, direct, and secret balloting, ensuring the right of independents, factions, unions, federations, youth, and women to run, and forming an independent electoral commission. They demanded fair representation for Palestinians in the homeland and diaspora, and rejected the pre-distribution of seats among factions. They called for enhancing the PLO's independence from the Palestinian Authority and reactivating its institutions. In conclusion, the signatory bodies called for a national dialogue leading to democratic elections and rebuilding the PLO on the basis of partnership and genuine representation.