Introduction to the evening news 27-09-2012

The electoral law is “on fire”, as al-Nejmeh Square will henceforth witness two sessions per week for the joint parliamentary committees to discuss the electoral law proposals presented by the government and various parliamentary blocs.

The proportionality law is not expected to last amid the tense situations that prevent the implementation of a real reform, while other proposals dominate the scene, such as the Orthodox gathering’s draft law, the smaller districts proposal as well as the 60s law which is expected to be adopted in case consensus on a new law failed to take place.                

In this context, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel called on the deputies to finalize the law before the end of the year, so he will be able to make the logistical and administrative preparations in order to hold the elections as scheduled.

If the deputies reach an agreement, the Interior Ministry will kick off preparations for the parliamentary elections on the first of January, 2013, based on a new law, which may not be completely new.                

In the midst of the discussions held by the parliamentary blocs concerning the electoral law, the desired reforms may still be ink on paper. Perhaps this fact justifies the violent actions of the security forces adopted in response to the protesters who were calling for reforms outside the Parliament.

In addition to the use of violence, new methods showed that things have gone too far, reaching sexual abuse against members of the civil society who insisted on claiming their rights in a law which respects the concept of citizenship. 

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