The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said Thursday that it rejects court decisions to annul municipal election results in three areas in the Gaza Strip.

Top Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar labelled the move as " conspiracy" after three civil courts invalidated part of the municipal election results in the southern Gaza town of Rafah Tuesday and annulled election results in al-Buriej of central Gaza and Beit Lahya in the north Thursday.

"The conspiracy was plotted aiming at falsify the Palestinian will, and it is a burglary of Hamas victory in the municipal elections," said al-Zahar.

During the May 5 local elections, Hamas got 12 council seats in Rafah while the ruling Fatah movement won three seats. Hamas also won a majority of council seats in both al-Buriej and Beit Lahya.

The courts' decisions came after Fatah complained about irregularities during the election process.

A senior official of Fatah's revolutionary council Samir Masharawi said in press statements that Fatah had proof that Hamas supporters had violated election laws and regulations in Beit Lahya.

Hamas struck back by announcing that it doesn't recognize the legitimacy of the civil courts, accusing them of pledging loyalty to Fatah, a mainstream movement led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The second stage of Palestinian municipal elections were held in 84 municipal councils on May 5, with 76 in the West Bank and eight in the Gaza Strip. Initial results showed Hamas won control of about 30 councils while Fatah won about 50.

The Palestinian Local Elections Committee will set a date for re-holding elections in Rafah and Beit Lahya within 10 days.

Hamas also put up a strong showing in the first stage of the local elections, posing a major challenge to the ruling Fatah in the coming legislative elections due on July 17.

Source: Xinhua