After
a long time of being forcibly and intentionally disregarded, the issue
of the Parliamentary electoral law has suddenly and forcefully reemerged
in political discussions. In the recent period, we have witnessed a
number of statements and positions concerning the electoral law in
general and proportional representation specifically, in addition to
some hesitant demands for other reforms to be implemented, most notably
non-resident voting and regulating electoral expenditure.
While
the Civil Campaign for Electoral Reform encourages these discussions
which it considers necessary, it reminds at the same time of the
importance of complying with the legal deadline set by the Mikati
Cabinet for adopting an electoral law by June 2012, which is to say that
time is running out for any desired reform process. Thus, it is
necessary to accelerate the discussions on the electoral file in the
Cabinet and its transfer to the Parliament where it would be debated and
adopted within the appropriate due processes.
Therefore,
the Campaign urges all those concerned with this matter to assume their
responsibilities towards their nation, and to grasp the opportunity for
real and serious reform of the electoral law. The Campaign will also
follow up on the efforts undertaken on this issue and will pressure
decision makers in all possible ways for the adoption of proportional
representation and the other reforms. For that purpose, CCER would like
to announce that as part of the series of activities that it will be
organizing in its effort to advocate for the adoption of a democratic
electoral law, it is organizing a large popular activity on May 13 in
order to urge the government to fulfill its obligations in this matter.
In
a related context, the Campaign would like to reemphasize to all
Lebanese citizens that the proportional representation system is the
fairest and most accurate system in terms of representation, and that
all statements being made today which portray proportional
representation as a way to marginalize any group in society are
inaccurate since these sides view the electoral law as nothing more than
a tool for them to reach and maintain power. Moreover, CCER deplores
statements made by some that indicate the possibility of postponing
elections in case no new electoral law was adopted or due to specific
security issues. Hence, CCER renews its warnings on the dire
consequences of delaying elections particularly as the Lebanese
Constitution and numerous international agreements maintain the right of
the Lebanese citizens to choose their representatives in periodic
elections. The tendency to postpone elections is completely unacceptable
and the Campaign will work to block such a plan as we did in the period
preceding the Municipal elections in 2010.
Beirut, April 5, 2012
