Naharnet

Charbel Suspends Deadline for Elections Nominations until May 19

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel issued a decree on Saturday suspending the deadline for submitting parliamentary elections nominations until May 19.

The decree added that the Interior Ministry will resume accepting nominations on May 20 and until May 25.

Candidates seeking to withdraw their nominations should do so before June 1.

They will be reimbursed with half of the L.L.3,000,000 fee to run in the elections, which are scheduled for June 16.

President Michel Suleiman signed on Friday a draft law suspending the deadline for submitting nominations for the elections until May 19.

The draft law was referred to the president on Wednesday after it was approved by parliament.

The session, headed by Speaker Nabih Berri, was attended by all political blocs, except the National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat that boycotted it.

Suleiman announced on Twitter that he will sign the law to "allow the approval of a modern electoral law based on proportional representation."

An initial agreement to suspend the deadlines to May 19 was reached on Tuesday at a meeting held by parliament's bureau and attended by caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, lawmakers from the Lebanese Forces and the Phalange Party, and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.


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