Palestinian election committee quits

The Palestinian election commission sent a letter to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday tendering its resignation, charging that Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei was interfering in the process, election officials told The Associated Press. Parliamentary elections are set for Jan. 25, but there have been calls for a delay because of disorder and chaos, especially in the Gaza Strip. Veteran Fatah leaders, including Qurei, have been pressing for postponement, partly because the Hamas is poised to score significant gains.