Mashnouq: Plenty of Time to Agree on Vote Law or Else Enforce 1960

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said on Wednesday there is still time for political parties to agree on an electoral law for the upcoming parliamentary elections before the parliament's term ends next month, otherwise the law in force will be adopted.

“Nothing new has been recorded as for the electoral law issue” said Mashnouq before a cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail.

“If endeavors are serious, there is still plenty of time until June 19 to agree on a new electoral law, otherwise the law in force will be applied,” said the Minister.

The parliament's term ends at midnight on June 19.

Political parties are bickering over amending the current majoritarian 1960 election law which divides seats among the different religious sects.

The country has not organized parliamentary elections since 2009 and the legislature has instead twice extended its own mandate. The last polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law.