GAZA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of Palestinian factions agreed Tuesday on the electoral system of the National Council, the parliament of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
The agreement opens the door for factions like Hamas and the Islamic jihad to join the PLO, which represents all Palestinians, including those in Diaspora, or exile.
The factions reached the deal during two days of discussions in Amman, Jordan, a statement said.
The idea to renew the elections of the National Council members was shaped up during efforts to reconcile Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party with Hamas, the Islamic movement that wrested control of Gaza by force in 2007.
The electoral system is made up of 56 articles that "deal with all the sides of the election process and the general and detailed principles," according to the statement.
The Palestinian territories will be one electoral district, the statement added.
The council will comprise 350 members, 200 of them representing refugees outside the Palestinian territories.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad do not accept the PLO's charter for recognizing Israel. The two movements have been pushing for " reforming" the PLO to be able to join it, but observers say that running in the National Council's elections does not necessarily mean a recognition of Israel.
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