Sleiman calls on Parliament to kick off discussions to find new electoral law

President Michel Sleiman received on Friday a report from the head of the Constitutional Council Judge Issam Sleiman on the appeals presented against the constitutionality of the law number 246 issued in 31-05-2013.              

The report concludes that the law entered into effect after the Constitutional Council failed to reach quorum in order to issue a decision concerning the appeals.          

In this context President Sleiman called on the Parliament to kick off discussions in order to find a new electoral law within a short period of time, allowing the parliamentary elections to be held the soonest possible to shorten the term of extension of the Parliament's mandate.            

The Lebanese Constitutional Council was established in 1994 and came as a direct result of the Taif accord.                             

The Council is entrusted to supervise the constitutionality of laws along with electoral appeals and the examination of conflicts arising from elections.           

On Friday the 31st of May, 97 parliamentarians ratified a law to extend the current parliament's mandate until the 20th of November 2014.       

The session was held amid the discontent of several civil society groups who gathered before Nejmeh Square pelting lawmakers with tomatoes in protest of the decision.                                        

The Free Patriotic Movement boycotted the session, announcing that they would file an appeal to the Constitutional Council.                                      

Similarly, President Michel Sleiman also vowed to fight the said law, citing its unconstitutionality as the main reason behind his move.