 The Palestinian Election Commission signaled yesterday that a parliamentary vote set for July 17 would have to be postponed because it needs more time to prepare. The election is a key element in democratic reforms pursued by President Mahmoud Abbas to help revive peace talks with Israel aimed at Palestinian statehood and any delay could raise uncertainty benefiting armed factions. The independent election commission said it needed at least two months from the time a new election law is ratified to lay the groundwork for voting. But Abbas, who has repeatedly vowed to hold the vote as scheduled, is locked in a dispute with lawmakers over electoral reforms that has left the new legislation in limbo. |