Imprisoned Palestinian leader's entry shakes up planned vote

A popular Palestinian uprising leader imprisoned by Israel has submitted an independent list of candidates to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections

Palestinian Elections (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A popular Palestinian uprising leader imprisoned by Israel on Wednesday submitted an independent list of candidates to run in upcoming parliamentary elections, dealing a tough blow to President Mahmoud Abbas

The last-minute move by Marwan Barghouti could severely weaken the prospects of Abbas’ Fatah party and boost the prospects of the Islamic militant Hamas group.

Nasser al-Kidwa, a supporter of Barghouti and candidate on the list, confirmed the filing just before a midnight deadline. Al-Kidwa said their new party will be called “Freedom.”

Barghouti is a popular figure in the Fatah movement, and opinion polls have suggested that the vote between the two factions will be split.

That could pave the way for a Hamas victory. It also increases the likelihood that Abbas will find a way to cancel what is supposed to be the first Palestinian elections in 15 years.

The election is scheduled for May.

Al-Kidwa and Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa, submitted the papers at the Palestinian election commission in the city of Ramallah shortly before a midnight deadline. Barghouti has been in Israeli custody since 2002 and is currently held at the Hadarim prison in central Israel.