BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, in remarks published Saturday, rejected attempts to extend Parliament’s term for the second time, saying the November polls should be held based on a new electoral law.
“We insist on holding the presidential election as soon as possible and the parliamentary elections on time,” Geagea told A-Mustaqbal.
“The parliamentary election should be held according to a hybrid law [a majority and proportional representation] to correct representation, protect the National Accord and safeguard the republic.”
Last year, MPs approved a 17-month extension to their four-year term, citing security concerns and the failure of lawmakers to draft a new electoral law.
Geagea along with the majority of the country’s political groups had sought to pass a new electoral law that would provide better representation. Since the extension, however, lawmakers have not yet resumed discussion on a new electoral bill.
The current law is an amended version of the 1960 law, which was used in the 2009 polls and adopted the administrative unit of the qada as the so-called “small” electoral district, while the Taif Accord stipulated the larger governorate as the electoral constituency.
The Lebanese Forces and other Christian parties have rejected the 1960 law as unfair to Christian representation, with parliamentary talks centering on a hybrid law that brings together proportional representation and majority vote in order to appease the various rival blocs.
The March 8 group has supported a law based on proportional representation with larger districts, while the Future Movement has backed a majority vote.
Before the end of his term, former President Michel Sleiman signed a decree in May calling on Parliament to open a round of legislation starting June 2, 2014, and running to Oct. 20, 2014 to study outstanding draft laws, primarily a new electoral law.
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