The Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq on Tuesday called on President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw his presidential decree postponing local elections.

The decree violates the provisions of the Basic Law and elections law, Al-Haq said.

Abbas last week postponed the elections, scheduled for Oct. 22, "until appropriate circumstances" exist and to give time "to provide the Central Elections Commission with the opportunity to continue preparations for holding elections in all Palestinian districts."

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights, on the other hand, welcomed the decision.

Its position is that elections cannot be organized before achieving national reconciliation and ensuring appropriate conditions for a fair and transparent vote that reflects the will of voters.

(Ma’an News)