CEC to register Gaza voters in July

The Central Elections Commission will start updating the electoral roll in the Gaza Strip on July 2, an official said Tuesday. CEC director Hisham Khail told Ma'an the commission would open 274 centers in schools across Gaza to register voters after high school exams were completed. The minister of education said teachers and school administrators would assist in voter registration, Khail added. Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Monday agreed to allow the commission to start preparing for an election after a meeting with CEC chairman Hanna Nasser in Gaza City. Hamas' agreement to let the CEC work in Gaza was a condition set by Fatah leader and President Mahmoud Abbas for starting consultations on forming a unity government. Nasser said voter registration would take six weeks and Abbas would then decide on a date for presidential and parliamentary elections.