Naharnet

Adwan: No Return to 1960 Electoral Law

Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan, the coordinator of the parliamentary panel tasked with devising a new electoral law, stressed Monday that “there will be no return to the 1960 electoral law.”

“There can't be electoral reform without a new electoral law,” he announced after the panel's first meeting.

“We all know that proper representation can only be ensured through a new electoral law, and all the members of this committee will strive to achieve these goals,” he added.

According to Adwan, the panel's members agreed to refrain from leaking any deliberations to the media and to exert “serious efforts” to propose a new electoral law as soon as possible.

In addition to Adwan, the committee comprises MP Michel Moussa of the Development and Liberation bloc, MP Alain Aoun of the Change and Reform bloc, MP Ahmed Fatfat of the al-Mustaqbal bloc, MP Marwan Hamadeh of the Democratic Gathering, MP Serge Torsarkissian on behalf of the Armenian blocs, MP Samer Saade of the Kataeb bloc, MP Ali Fayyad of Hizbullah's bloc, Emile Rahme and Robert Fadel.

The committee was set up as part of the political settlement that had led to holding a legislative session earlier this month after around a one-year interruption.

Ongoing disputes among the rival political parties over the electoral law forced parliament to extend its term the first time in 2013 and a second time in 2014.

Media reports have said that the committee would have two months to reach an agreement over the electoral draft law.

Y.R.


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