The educational mission of Birzeit University includes promoting respect for democratic values, tolerence of diversity, and cooperation. Every year, the 51-seat student council parliament is chosen in open, democratic elections. In the years before the existence of the Palestinian Authority and national Palestinian elections, Birzeit's elections - involving students originating from all areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and student mirrors of the main national political factions - was seen as the best barometer of Palestinian political opinion. The 1998 website is the second time that Birzeit's student elections have been covered on the Web. Links have been provided to offer a detailed background to one of the most exciting events in the academic year.

ELECTION 98

• The schedule
• The student blocs in photos
• Photos from the election (added: 13 April 1998)
• Leaflets from the blocs
• The debate - 31 March*
• The results - 1 April (Web-posted at 7:45pm Palestinian Time. Official results were posted at 1:45pm Palestinian Time, 2 April 1998)
• The commentary (added: 25 April 1998)

BACKGROUND TO THE ELECTIONS

• Last year's coverage - an extensive website including information about the electoral system and voting process of Birzeit University's Student Council elections, a look back at previous elections, an introduction to the 1997 student blocs at Birzeit University, news and photos from the 1997 campaign, highlights of the 8 April pre-election debate, results of the 1997 election on 9 April 1997, and a commentary on the 1997 election.