Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he will abolish the district representation in legislative elections, leaving the entire legislature to be selected by a party list, similar to the system in Israel. In last year's elections which Hamas won by a large majority, half of the members were elected by a party list and half by district representation.

The change would effectively reduce the weight of Hamas's strength in Gaza. Recent polls have shown Fatah far ahead of the rival terrorist organization.

Abbas told Reuters News Agency he did not have a specific date for new elections, which many PA legal experts said he has no power to order. The current legislature is paralyzed due to boycotts by the rival parties.

He also declined to say whether he would run for re-election despite previous statements that this would be his first and only term.