Hamas-backed body wins university election in West Bank

RAMALLAH, Palestine

The Hamas-affiliated students body Islamic Wafaa’ Bloc won the student council elections held at the Birzeit University in West Bank on Wednesday, a university dean announced.

According to the head of the Elections Preparatory Committee and Dean of Student Affairs, Mohammad al-Ahmad, the Islamic Wafaa’ Bloc won 25 out of 51 seats, while the Fatah-affiliated Yasser Arafat Bloc bagged 20 seats and the Democratic Progressive Student Pole won five seats.

Six political blocs had competed in the elections this year, including Hamas-backed Islamic Wafaa’ Bloc, Fatah-affiliated Yasser Arafat Bloc, Democratic Progressive Student Pole, the Birzeit Student Alliance, Students Initiative and the Palestine for All bloc.

According to al-Ahmad, a total of 7,578 out of 9,892 eligible students voted in the elections.

Hamas in a statement said the victory of the Islamic Wafaa’ Bloc was a message that Palestinians support resistance.

“This victory is a message of support for the current Palestinian uprising and testament to the strength of Hamas,” it said.