Bassam Mawlawi says Aoun must sign the decree before Dec. 27 in order for elections to take place in March. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said Monday that President Michel Aoun “told me personally, multiple times, that he will not sign the decree” that effectively schedules the upcoming parliamentary elections in March. Aoun’s signature, alongside that of Mawlawi and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, is essential for the decree scheduling the polling date to go into effect.
Here’s what we know:
• In an interview with the Egypt-based MENA news agency Monday, Mawlawi said that “parliamentary elections will not take place on March 27 if Aoun does not sign the decree before Dec. 27,” adding that Aoun’s “intention to only hold elections in May is clear.” The interior minister also noted that “had not yet sent the decree for the president to sign as I aim to first reach an agreement about the matter to avoid political tensions.”
• Parliament approved amendments to the electoral law in late October that included a recommendation to bring the voting day forward from May 8 to March 27. Supporters of the earlier date contend that it would avoid the issue of campaigning during the month of Ramadan, when many Muslim fast from sunrise to sunset. Those who oppose the date change say inclement weather in March may affect turnout at the polls. The Free Patriotic Movement, which was founded by Aoun and is led by his son-in-law, meanwhile argues elections on March 27 would exclude many new voters who will not have reached the legal age to cast a ballot in time for the polls.
• Legal expert and former Interior Minister and Ziad Baroud told L’Orient Today Monday that for an election date to be confirmed, the interior minister, prime minister and president are required to sign the decree that schedules it at least three months ahead of the date, adding that Parliament can recommend a new date but does not have the authority to schedule it.