In the past Israel has allowed absentee ballots to be filed in Jerusalem post offices.
But Abbas seems to want more.
He said, "We say that elections must be held for the people of Jerusalem in Jerusalem itself, and if this happens (approval) we will issue a decree to hold legislative elections first and then presidential elections. For us it is important for the restoration of our democracy, we cannot remain all this time without elections and without democracy. We believe in democracy and believe in the liberation of Palestine soon, God willing."
As I have been pointing out since October, Abbas has no desire for elections - but he wants to use this Jerusalem issue to request the world community to pressure Israel to allow campaigning and full voting in Jerusalem, in order to claim sovereignty.
The idea that he cares about democracy is truly funny if you have followed his career since becoming prime minister.