The Palestinian NGO's Network (PNGO) confirms its adherence to hold municipal elections in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip, and stresses rejection to the entrenched Palestinian political division and separation between the two geographically and politically separated territories.

PNGO is following up with deep concern the regrettable Supreme Court's decision to hold the municipal elections only in the West Bank and excluding Gaza Strip, and warns that it deepens the internal division and the national conflict, as well as it hinders the Palestinian reconciliation and the national unity.

PNGO affirms that the Supreme Court's ruling deepens despair and frustration among the Palestinian people; who were hoping that the municipal elections will be a step forward for holding the elections at all the Palestinian structures and local bodies including the presidential elections and the National Council and the Legislative Council elections.

PNGO states that Court's decision to postpone the municipal elections will be reflected in the Palestinian political crisis and will deepen the internal division and strain the situation, if the Palestinian political parties and factions won't begin a national dialogue to break the barriers and overcome the obstacles and create the appropriate and positive atmosphere to conduct unified local elections in the Palestinian territories.

PNGO has positively reacted to the recommendation of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to postpone the local elections for six months instead of conducting them in the West Bank only, so as to put the Palestinian internal house in order and reform the legislation to serve the interests of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian NGO's Network (PNGO) stresses that the unified local elections have no alternatives, due they are a legitimate right enshrined in the constitution and a base for rebuilding a political system based on democracy and partnership rather than political exclusion and social