Michel Rocard, chief of the European Union's observation delegation, said
Saturday that the Palestinians are eager for democracy.
Rocard told reporters that there is a high rate of voter registration ahead
of the Jan. 9 presidential election. He said that the turnout of voter
registration is higher than in many European countries such as France, Germany
and Belgium. Rocard, former French prime minister, is leading a delegation of
more than 260 European observers who will monitor the election in the
Palestinian territories and east Jerusalem.
They will be joined by Arab, US and Japanese observers. The Palestinian
presidential election had been decided after the death of Yasser Arafat on Nov.
11.
Seven candidates are running for the post. According to recent public opinion
polls, PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas leads by large margin.