November 27, 1995
Web posted at: 12:00 a.m. EST (0500 GMT)
From Correspondent Jerrold Kessel
DIR EL BALACH REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip (CNN) -- Teams of Palestinian teachers are canvassing the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, helping fellow Palestinians take their first steps in representative democracy. The teams are registering voters for the first ever Palestinian elections, still two months away but already creating excitement.
"I'm happy that we will have democracy like everybody else," one newly registered voter said. "We choose the good people to have control over us." (60K AIFF sound or 60K WAV sound)
In a refugee camp south of Gaza City, everyone over 18 is issued a ballot card under the watchful eyes of European Community observers. In the alleys outside, those already registered say they won't miss the opportunity to vote for the first time on January 20.
And in a nearby Bedouin encampment, more voters are added to the rolls. When the first phase of registration is completed a week from now, an estimated 400,000 eligible Gaza voters will be joined by 900,000 on the West Bank. The Palestinians will be set to elect both a president for the national council and an 82-member executive body.
"People are excited, very excited," said Palestinian teacher Ramzi Radwan. "They look to a better future." (75K AIFF sound or 75K WAV sound)
Registration has gone remarkably smoothly -- especially given that an original five-month plan was telescoped down to 12 weeks leading up to the election. The process, though, is giving Palestinians their first real taste of democracy, and gaining greater legitimacy for Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat's peace policy.
Even most opponents of that process are registering to vote - - but political maneuvering is not yet an important factor.
"We're not into the political aspect of it yet," said EC election observer Declan Greenway. "What we're dealing with is the registration process. In most cases people are registering, keeping their options open."
But election education notices will soon come down, replaced by campaign posters. Prominent opposition forces like Hamas still aren't sure they'll actually compete in the elections, but they are not expected to boycott.
"If they will not share in the elections directly, they will vote indirectly," said Gaza Election Commission coordinator Osama Abu Saffia. "They will elect other people to share in elections and they will ... vote for them." (165K AIFF sound or 165K WAV sound)
When the election fever sets in with the Palestinians, it is unlikely to make their overriding problems -- such as economic distress, overcrowding and open drains -- go away. But those everyday problems are equally unlikely to play a prominent role in the coming elections. The vote, above all, will be about political identity for West Bank and Gaza Palestinians.
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