Report: Berri Fears Amendments Might Foil Elections

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed concerns that the purpose of proposing amendments to the new complex electoral law is to thwart the upcoming parliamentary elections, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq notified Berri that proposed amendments regarding the so-called polling megacenters and the creation of magnetic voting cards are difficult to achieve between present and the date of the elections on May 6, 2018, added the daily.

Berri pointed out that voters can cast their ballots using their identity cards or passports instead of using magnetic voter cards.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil insists that reforms must be introduced to the electoral law by including an article on the creation of magnetic voting cards.

The interior ministry says the procedure is time-consuming and the ministry won't be able to create cards for around 3,682,000 voters due to time shortage.

Bassil said a draft law would be necessary to postpone the procedure to the next elections.

Regarding amendments to the law so as to include the so-called polling megacenters where voters can cast ballots away from their hometowns, Berri said it is better not be implemented lest it drags on to other changes, according to the daily.

Berri said he fears the reform suggestions could carry intentions to thwart the elections.

However, he stressed “the elections will be staged on time and everyone must start preparing.”

A ministerial panel tasked with studying the implementation of the complex new law failed on Tuesday to reach an agreement on megacenters.