Analysis / Lessons from the local elections

One should be wary of definitive conclusions following the results in municipal elections in 26 West Bank local councils on Friday. In local elections, particularly in villages, the family connections of a candidate play a significant role and such elections involve elements of traditional society and tribal and clan power struggles. As such, the political affiliation of the candidate is underplayed in such instances.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of the 145,000 eligible voters in the West Bank took part in these elections, and this offers a broad electoral sample of the West Bank public.

The first and foremost conclusion that can be drawn from these elections is the fact that they were orderly, with hardly any untoward incidents reported. The Palestinian leadership was very pleased with the orderly process in which the elections were held and is hoping that this will be repeated in the coming days, when similar elections will be held in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the results, they more or less reflect what had been evident in the polls - that Fatah is gaining some strength.

If one takes into consideration that of the 306 available seats in local councils in these elections, Fatah won nearly 65 percent, the trend is clear. The second most successful group, Hamas, won some 20 percent of the seats. Out of the heads of the councils, nearly two-thirds are Fatah men, while the remainder are affiliated with Hamas.

Very few votes went to the People's Party, the former Communist faction, while some candidates received their backing from both Fatah and Hamas.

In general, Hamas was backed in traditional areas, such as the Hebron Hills, while Fatah received its support from more urban areas such as Jericho, Abu Dis and al-Azaryeh.

Perhaps the most important political lesson of these elections was the fact that Hamas opted to participate. Spokesmen for the group declared in the past that they would participate in local elections, as they always do in union and student body elections, because these are not affiliated with any aspect of the Oslo agreements.

However, in view of the latest tension with the Palestinian Authority, Hamas is increasingly adopting the character of an organized political party that will function within the parameters set by the Palestinian Authority. It is therefore entirely possible that Hamas will take part in the parliamentary elections that are scheduled to take place in six months' time.