The Carter Center has helped countries around the world ensure free and fair elections. The organization helped during the 1996 Palestinian election at Arafat’s request.
Carter was concerned the Israeli military presence would impede the election process, but was assured this would not happen by the government. He also wondered if Palestinians living in East Jerusalem would be voting as residents or as aliens casting absentee ballots.
On Election Day, the Israeli military presence was strong and intimidating. As a result, only 1,600 people voted in Jerusalem. Overall, results were better outside of Jerusalem with about 75% of voters reporting. Arafat won the election with 88% of the vote.
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