RAMALLAH, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas approved a constitutional declaration on Wednesday stipulating that chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) could serve as interim PNA president if the post was declared vacant.
The PNC - the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), represents the Palestinians inside and outside the occupied territories, while the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) represents the Palestinians inside.
In case of absence of an elected PLC and the post of PNA president was declared vacant, the PNC chairman could take over as PNA president for no more than 90 days, according to the declaration carried by Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA).
During the 90 days, free and direct presidential elections should be held under the electoral law, or the Palestine Central Council - the policy-making arm of the PLO, could extend the period for just one time.
The PNA basic law provides that speaker of the PLC should serve as interim PNA president for 60 days pending a presidential election, but the legislative council was dissolved by a Constitutional Court verdict in 2018. The PLC was last elected on January 25, 2006, when Hamas won majority of seats. However, it has failed to convene since 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza Strip. (end) nq.hss.gb