Hebron, 27/7/2016 --- Seeking to enhance freedom of expression and the right to access information from an independent source, Press House organized Face The Press Program on Hebron Radio about the local election, which is supposed to be held on 8th of October.
The meeting was attended by the head of coordination in central election committee of Hebron Governorate- Maisoun Al- Qawasma, the head of Wafa Agency- Jehad Al-Qwasma, Secretariat in Palestinian Journalist Syndicate- and the journalist Amjad shawer, Hebron Radio.
Ibrahim Dareh said that the poor turnout to election registration is due to the large size of the city and the complexity of its bifurcation, as well as the difficult access to some areas to get people aware of the importance of registration.
He added," In Hebron, the turnout proportion reached 64%, noting that still are 413,000 people having a right to register, where only 266,000 have done it.
He asserted that the election committee plays the same role at all governorates, and consolidate the procedures without discrimination, noting that the number of registration center is estimated to be 168 in the publication and obligation phase.
He indicated that the efforts devoted by the committee in Hebron to get people aware is so big in comparison with other governorates, due to the big population and the small size of the governorate, where there are areas that are complicated to be journalistically accessed. He added that the civil society organizations must cooperate with the committee to get people aware of the importance of their votes.
He said that the registration will go on for 5 days and end on Wednesday; and th
Target of this is to publish the election record and allow everyone to register or refresh their data, as well as ensure their rights of voting.
On the logistics issues related to elections and the number of voters, Dareih asserted that at each local committee there are voting centers that fit the number of voters. They are at schools and some areas where they have to use when needed.
Moreover, he explained that the voting centers fit people with disability, where all materials and stuff are suitable for the impairment disabled to ensure the easy access and their right of voting.
He said that the course will tackle many topics like election and civil peace, journalism& democracy, election process items, the role of journalism and media monitor in covering election, polls process, voters perspectives about elections, and the kind of questions asked by journalists to candidates as well as many related topics.
Dareih stressed on the role of journalists during election process especially in getting people aware, and helping them take a right decision upon information given by media, calling on all journalists to work professionally, honestly, accurately and impartially.
He also noted that once they finish selecting media organizations for voting, the committee will start delivering a course for journalists of governorates in guiding them on the mechanisms of work. Media role will start promoting the democratic process and advising to practice it at all levels.
Dareih announced that deadline of registration and publication& obligation phase ends on Wednesday. After this, nomination process starts on 18th August and goes on for 10 days.
Discussion door was opened to journalists to ask the host questions, where he answered all their inquiries.
