Fatah's use of the Palestinian security forces comes despite a ban
issued by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The sources said Abbas met PA security
commanders in mid-May and warned them not to intervene in the campaign.
Days later, however, PA security chiefs relayed orders to mobilize votes
for Fatah in its attempt to regain numerous municipalities won by the
opposition Hamas movement in 2005. The sources said the Fatah effort was
strongest in the northern city of Nablus.
"We are acting in our capacity as Fatah members not as security chiefs,"
a senior PA officer said.
Both Hamas and the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad have announced a
boycott of the elections. But Palestinian sources said Fatah was concerned
over quiet Hamas support to independent candidates as well as the prospect
that a boycott could result in a low voter turnout.
On June 6, the Fatah Central Committee sought to agree on a list of
candidates for the municipal race. But the sources said the committee was
divided over several major candidates, and at one point examined the
issuing prospect of several lists.
The biggest challenge was said to be in Nablus where Fatah has appointed
Amin Makhboul, head of the Revolutionary Council, as its candidate for
mayor. The selection has been opposed by former mayor, Ghassan Shakaa, who
had served two terms until the Hamas victory.
"There is a lot of confusion right now," a Fatah source said.
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