Report: Mashnouq to Order Preparations for Elections
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq will adhere to the current applicable electoral laws and is set to order the start of preparations for Lebanon's parliamentary polls where he will be sending a decree to the Presidential Palace in the coming 48 hours, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.
According to information, the decree will not be signed by President Michel Aoun because it is linked to the current 1960 majoritarian law which the President has rejected having the elections staged on its basis.
In addition to the President's decision not to sign the decree, the decree itself carries some disabling factors. Starting with the fact that a supervisory committee to oversee the elections has not been formed so far, and there is no decision taken by the cabinet to provide financial accreditation to cover the election process expenses, said the daily.
It is to note that Aoun had previously rejected Mashnouq's request, during a cabinet meeting on January 26, on the formation of a supervisory committee until a new election law is agreed.
The President had assured previously that agreeing on a new law is necessary because the polls will never be staged under the 1960 law, nor will the term of the parliament be extended again even if it meant vacuum at the parliament.
Mashnouq had previously clarified that he is obliged to finalize electoral rolls prior to the date of the elections. In order for the elections to be held on May 21, he must call for elections and complete all preparations before February 21.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/225629 |