EU observers say Palestinian election running smoothly

Despite threats of violence against EU officials from militant Islamists, MEPs on the spot described election day in Palestine as "a great democratic experience".

In the fourth hour of the first parliamentary election in Palestine (25 January), over 35 percent of Palestinians had reportedly placed their votes in the ballots under peaceful circumstances.

Initial reports suggest that turnout is likely to be around 75 per cent.

Speaking from the West Bank town of Hebron, elec...