Change and Reform Demands Holding Municipal, Parliamentary Polls at Same Time

The Change and Reform bloc urged on Tuesday officials to respect constitutional deadlines and to therefore hold the municipal elections as scheduled on May 8.

Former Minister Salim Jreissati said after the bloc's weekly meeting: “Seeing as the municipal polls are being held on May 8, then then the parliamentary elections could be held on the same day.”

He explained that this proposal is possible through including an additional ballot box at voting stations dedicated to the parliamentary polls.

Earlier on Tuesday, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq vowed that the municipal polls will be held on time “regardless of any political disputes.”

The municipal elections will be held in Mount Lebanon on May 8, in Beirut and the Bekaa on May 15, in South and Nabatiyeh on May 22, and in the North and Akkar on May 29.

The parliamentary elections were twice postponed over differences between the political blocs over an electoral law.

The elections were supposed to be held in 2013, but they were postponed to 2015. They were again delayed last year.

Both postponements led parliament to extend its own term, creating widespread popular outrage.

M.T.

Y.R.