Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem confused on upcoming election

Published: 2004-11-30

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Although Palestinian leaders insist that East Jerusalem residents will be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election, some Palestinians remained confused about their voting eligibility. Several Catholics told Catholic News Service that there has been a lack of information available on voting and registration procedures. They were unaware that the Palestinian Central Election Committee had decided to allow East Jerusalem residents to vote -- even if they had not registered -- as long as they have an identity card listing their residence. "We don't have Palestinian identity cards. I want to vote; I don't know if the Palestinians will let me vote," said Dalal Duwani, 52, a Catholic resident of Jerusalem as she left Mass at St. Savior Church. The Palestinian presidential election will be held Jan. 9 following the Nov. 11 death of longtime leader Yasser Arafat.

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