Full Text Of The Referendum On The National Conciliation Document "Prisoners Document"

2006-06-25

www.jmcc.org/documents/ referendum.htm

Decree no. ( ) for 2006

Regarding the referendum on the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document"

President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee
President of the PNA

After reviewing the decision of the PLO Central Council held in Tunis on October 10-12, 1993, on the establishment of the PNA with the PLO as its reference

And based on the decision of the PLO Executive Committee held on June 6, 2006,

And based on the provisions of the amended Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments,

And for the purpose of protecting the higher interests of the people and their constitutional institutions and their national unity,

And to avoid the dangers facing the homeland,

And pursuant to the authority vested in us,

Introduction

In adhering to the Palestinian national constants ratified by the PLO and in realization of the constitutional vow to fully protect the interests of the Palestinian people in my capacity as Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and President of the PNA, and in harmony with my right and duty to get back to the people who are the source of all authorities and in applying direct democratic practices where the popular referendum is considered its most advanced images, and resorting to the origins of matters since the popular referendum is the core of legitimate practices based on the general constitutional principles referred to in the amended Basic Law of 2003, In my capacity as the Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and President of the PNA, I decided to exercise this constitutional right and duty to hold a referendum on the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document" which came due to the necessities to protect and care for the higher interests of the Palestinian people and to confront the dangers facing the unity of the people and the safety of the homeland,

We issue the following:

Article (1)

The Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip are called upon to participate in the referendum on the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document" attached with this decree on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 between 7:00am and 9:00pm.

Article (2)

a- the referendum will be to express the viewpoint on the following question: "Do you agree to the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document"?

b- The answer must be either Yes or No.

Article (3)

All those with the right to vote can exercise this right, according to the provisions of the Elections Law no. (9) of 2005, in direct, free, individual and secret ballot and there wont be any voting by proxy.

Article (4)

The Central Elections Commission shall assume the duty of organizing and managing the referendum and take all necessary measures to secure free and honest elections.

Article (5)

The referendum shall reflect the will of the Palestinian people through the absolute majority of the voters in the referendum.

Article (6)

1- the provisions of Elections Law no. 9 for 2005 and the relevant regulations shall be applied on any issue not mentioned in the text of this decree and to the extent required by the referendum process.

2- the Central Elections Commission shall decide on any matter pertaining to the referendum in the absence of any text dealing with it.

Article (7)

Wednesday, July 26, 2006, the date of the referendum according to this decree shall be an official holiday.

Article (8)

The Central Elections Commission shall publish the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document" in the mass media and local newspapers to be accessible by the citizens.

Article (9)

All competent parties, each according to its own jurisdiction, shall execute the provisions of this decree which shall be effective upon its issuance and shall be published along with the national conciliation document "Prisoners Document" in the official gazette.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on June 10, 2006 AD, Jamadi al-Awwal 14, 1427

Hijri

Mahmoud Abbas
President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee
President of the PNA

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis