What will happen in the Palestinian elections?

Palestinians vote in parliamentary elections today in which the ruling Fatah movement faces a strong challenge from Hamas Islamists.

Here are some questions and answers on key issues:

WILL THE VOTE BE PEACEFUL?

Armed factions from Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah have said they will put weapons aside for voting day, but fears of trouble have been stirred by growing disorder in the Gaza Strip since an Israeli pullout last year.

Some Fatah officials wanted to delay the vote because they sense they are going to lose out. Concerns are strong that gunmen could create problems if they are not happy with the results.

Israel does not want to appear to be obstructing the vote in Arab East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

HOW FAIR WILL IT BE?

By the standards of the Middle East, Palestinians have a relatively open democracy without restrictions on which parties can contest. The biggest dangers are intimidation, problems with the count or disruption when results come in.

Election officials say 800 foreign observers will monitor the vote.

WHY IS HAMAS DOING WELL?

Hamas is seen by many Palestinians as having stronger anti-corruption credentials than Fatah and its charity network is popular. Hamas also spearheaded a suicide bombing campaign during a Palestinian uprising.

Fatah suffers from accusations of graft, incompetence and failing to end growing disorder. It has also been weakened by division between an old guard and younger leaders who seek a bigger share of power.

WHO IS GOING TO WIN?

Fatah still has an edge according to opinion polls, but Hamas has narrowed the gap. One poll at the weekend gave Fatah 32 per cent and Hamas 30 per cent.

Hamas did not contest the last election in 1996 so it will certainly become more of a force in parliament now, but activists would be disappointed with a vote of less than 20 per cent.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR PEACEMAKING?

Since Hamas is officially committed to destroying Israel and opposes talks, it makes peacemaking unlikely in the short term if the Islamic group makes a very strong showing and joins the government.

Abbas hopes that by bringing Hamas into parliament, he might make it easier to persuade the group to begin disarmament, a process that is meant to start under a US-backed peace "road map".

There are signs Hamas might soften its line once it has a share of political power. But, at least in public, Hamas leaders have rejected any suggestion it could disarm or one day recognise Israel.

Peacemaking will in any case be on hold until after an Israeli general election on March 28. Acting leader Ehud Olmert is expected to win at the head of the Kadima party of comatose Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Olmert has said he will seek talks if Abbas disarms militants. Israel has not met its own road map pledge to freeze West Bank settlement building.

- REUTERS