1Duwaik was Speaker following the 2006 election, however in 2009 he claimed the Presidency by virtue of the expiry of Mahmoud Abbas' term and the absence of new elections for President.
Inside the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006
The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) is the unicameral legislature of the Palestinian Authority, elected by the Palestinian residents of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It currently comprises 132 members, elected from 16 electoral districts of the Palestinian Authority. The PLC has a quorum requirement of two-thirds, and since 2006 Hamas and Hamas-affiliated members have held 74 of the 132 seats in the PLC.
The first PLC met for the first time on 7 March 1996. Under the Oslo II Accord, the powers and responsibilities of the PLC are restricted to civil matters and internal security in Area A of the West Bank and Gaza, while in Area B they are restricted to civil affairs and security matters are under the control of the Israel Defense Forces. In Area C, Israel has full control.
The Palestinian Legislative Council was created by the Oslo Accords and designed in accordance with the provisions of the Oslo II Accord, which dictated its composition, powers and responsibilities in detail.[1] Detailed provisions regarding elections were set out in Annex II. Oslo II provides that residents of the Palestinian territories may vote or be elected.[2] The PLC has a quorum requirement of two-thirds.
There was no time limit on the duration or life of each PLC, nor any provision for filling of casual vacancies. There was no requirement for ministers to be members of the PLC.
The powers and responsibilities of the PLC are limited to civil matters and internal security and public order (Article IX and XVII) and subject to review by Israel. The PLC is excluded from the negotiations process with Israel.[3][4]
,_Ramallah,_West_Bank.jpg)