Student Council Vote Swings Towards Fatah Affiliates

Martyr Yasser Arafat Bloc (Fatah) won 23 seats out of 51 seats in the Birzeit University Student Council elections held on May 7, 2014, while the Islamic Wafaa’ Bloc (Hamas) received 20 seats.

The Democratic Progressive Student Pole came in third place, obtaining seven seats, while the United Students Bloc won one seat. The remaining blocs failed to win any seats.

Head of the Elections Preparatory Committee and Dean of Student Affairs Mohammad Al-Ahmad said that 5,857 out of 8,181 students participated in the elections, with voting rates at 71.5%. The number of null votes was 190 and empty votes amounted to 65.

University President Khalil Hindi applauded the students’ commitment and cooperation, saying that the elections took place in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere that reflected students’ sense of responsibility towards their university. He emphasized that the efforts undertaken by the university would be insufficient without students’ efforts to contribute to an active and positive role in the community.

Six student blocs competed in the Birzeit University student council elections this year:  Fatah, Hamas, Democratic Progressive Student Pole Bloc, United Student Bloc, Palestine for All Bloc and Students Progressive Bloc