Palestinian election officials have recommended calling off January's presidential vote due to opposition by Hamas militants, Associated Press reported
Election Commission chairman Hanna Nasser says it's impossible to conduct the vote in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Without participation by all Palestinians, officials believe the election should not take place.
The Palestinians are divided between rival governments: President Mahmoud Abbas' Western-backed administration in the West Bank and the Hamas regime in Gaza. Hamas has said it would not cooperate with the Jan. 24 election.
Abbas has said he will not run in the election because of frustration with stalled peace efforts. If he agrees to postpone the vote, he could remain in office indefinitely.
...