Voter turnout is strong on election day in the Palestine.
In the run up to the election, Palestinians were encouraged to turn out and vote in the interest of diversity, moderation, tolerance and the democratic process.
Thousands of members of the security forces were permitted to vote ahead of polling day to free them up for duties. So far, there has been no trouble on the streets.
By lunchtime, turnout had reached between 40 and 50 per cent. When the polls closed, unofficial estimates put the turnout at over 80 per cent. However, the official final result will not be known for at least a week.
Akram Bakir, a Palestinian business leader, says that the goal is to end the occupation peacefully.
Hassan Sheikh, general secretary of Fatah, is hopeful that the election result will lead to a coalition with democratic factions who align closely with the Fatah plans for reform. Hassan Sheikh says that Fatah would only work with Hamas if they radically changed their programme.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 January 2006. The reporter is Richard Crowley.
