Change and Reform Calls for Fair Electoral Law, Granting Expats Representation in Parliament
The Change and Reform bloc reiterated on Tuesday its call for the approval of a parliamentary electoral law that would offer fair representation, while revealing that it would propose that expatriates be granted representation at parliament.
MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the bloc's weekly meeting: “The electoral law is not something we can strike a deal over, but it is linked to rights stipulated in the constitution and National Pact.”
He described the joint parliamentary committees meeting that was held earlier on Tuesday as “a step in the right direction,” noting that the election of a president and adoption of a just electoral law will pave the way for political reform in Lebanon.
“The joint parliamentary committees rightfully approved the Orthodox Gathering law, which we had previously endorsed.”
“We should also not overlook the rights of expatriates in voting,” continued the MP.
“We believe that expatriates should be represented in parliament similar to parliament the world over,” Kanaan explained.
The joint parliamentary committees on Tuesday referred the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft-law to parliament's bureau for discussion.
The committees are studying some 17 draft electoral laws.
They are set to meet again on Monday.
The failure to agree on an electoral law had forced parliament to twice extend its own term, once in 2013 and a second time in 2014.
Its term ends in 2017.
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