Ismael Haneya, leader of Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza, announced on Wednesday that his movement presented the list of its candidates that will run in the coming legislative elections slated for Jan. 25.

Haneya, who is on the top of the list, made the announcement to reporters at a news conference with presence of several other Hamas leaders, after they presented a written list to the Palestinian Central Election Committee.

"This list includes all our candidates in Gaza Strip, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The list will be titled as he list of Reform and Change," Haneya told the reporters.

He, meanwhile, called on the Palestinian people to vote for those who would bring reforms and changes in the Palestinian society.

Hamas participation is an indication that it "will carry on in achieving and gaining legitimate rights, such as the return of our refugees, liberating al-Quds (Jerusalem) and releasing all prisoners," he said.

Haneya noted that the list of Hamas candidates was formed depending on qualification and the requirements of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), adding that the list includes women in addition to some young and historic leaders.

He assured that Hamas' door would also be opened for independent candidates as long as their ideology and goals were never contradict with Hamas.

Meanwhile, Haneya denounced Israel for detaining several Hamas candidates who would race in the elections in the West Bank in poor attempts to prevent the movement to participate in the election.

"We will never change our mind. We decided to join the election because we wanted to be part or arranging the Palestinian situation and reinforce the national unity and rebuild what had been destroyed by the occupation," vowed Haneya.

It is the first time for Hamas to participate in a parliamentary election in the Palestinian territories since the movement was founded on Dec. 14, 1987.

Source: Xinhua