The Palestinian Authority’s Central Elections Commission Chairman blames Hamas for a likely postponement of the upcoming elections in Gaza.

Hanna Nasser, talking to reporters in the central West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday, said that if presidential and legislative elections are not held as scheduled on January 24 in Gaza, they will be postponed to an unknown date.

He added that he has sent a letter referring the case to the Palestinian Authority’s acting chief Mahmoud Abbas.

Hamas official Sami abu Zuhri, responding to the news, said that he was not surprised about the likely postponement as it is "a natural result of lack of appropriate conditions." He said this shows Hamas’ credibility which rejects holding elections before achieving the right conditions.

But, Fatah spokesman Ahmad Asaf held Hamas responsible for the delay in elections and said the delay was because of the ban placed by Hamas on the election commission from entering Gaza.

A statement from the PA office said that after consultations with Palestinian institutions and Basic Law experts, Abbas would issue a decision on the matter.

(Press TV)