2005 Palestinian presidential election

2005 Palestinian presidential election
	Results by governorate: ; Mahmoud Abbas: 50–55% 55–60% 60–65% 65–70% 70–75%
President before election; Rawhi Fattouh; Fatah	Elected President ; Mahmoud Abbas; Fatah

Presidential elections were held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip of the Palestinian National Authority on Sunday, 9 January 2005 to elect the President of the Palestinian National Authority, to succeed Yasser Arafat, who had died on 11 November 2004.^[1]^[2] The election was the first to be held since the 1996 general election, and voters elected Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Mahmoud Abbas for a four-year term.

Seven candidates contested the election. Abbas won over 67% of the votes cast, independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti came second with 21%, and the remaining candidates were far behind.^[3] The election was boycotted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hamas urged supporters to stay away, but did not try to disrupt the election. In the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is strongest, it is estimated that about half of the eligible voters voted.

No presidential elections have taken place since 2005. Abbas has continued in office since the expiration of the four-year term on 9 January 2009,^[4] with planned elections repeatedly postponed.

^ 2005: Abbas triumphs in Palestinian elections. BBC, 9 January 2005
^ Abbas declared victor in Palestinian election. CNN, 11 January 2005
^ Palestinian Landslide For Abbas
^ Report: Abbas won't run for another term Ynetnews, 16 December 2008

[1] 2005: Abbas triumphs in Palestinian elections. BBC, 9 January 2005

[2] Abbas declared victor in Palestinian election. CNN, 11 January 2005

[cbsnews-3] Palestinian Landslide For Abbas

[YNN-4] Report: Abbas won't run for another term Ynetnews, 16 December 2008

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