Bou Saab after electoral law session: Atmosphere positive and there's complete openness

The parliamentary subcommittee tasked with studying draft electoral laws held a session in parliament on Monday, after Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab was accused of calling for such a session to deviate attention from the “priority” of resolving the issue of Hezbollah’s arms.

"The session has concluded, contrary to what was expected by some, especially after what we heard in the media and on social platforms regarding attacks and criticisms over my call for this subcommittee to convene and discuss the laws listed on the agenda, which relate to the electoral law,” Bou Saab said after the session.

“Unfortunately, accusations were plentiful and some made personal attacks against me and my family, and made claims about 'rabbits being pulled out,'” Bou Saab lamented.

Bou Saab explained: "After listening to the MPs, some of whom were influenced by what they heard in the media, they asked: 'Why did you call for this session? Did you receive a call from abroad? Why today?' I answered that we are fulfilling our duties, and perhaps as MPs we forgot that these are our obligations. We do not listen to phone calls, nor did anyone request us to hold a meeting; rather, the bylaws of parliament mandate it."

He noted: "The current law has loopholes, and everyone in the meeting agreed that there are gaps we want to address by passing an amendment to the law. Where else are we going to discuss electoral proposals if not in this committee? Some colleagues have submitted draft laws that align completely with the Taif Agreement, including the (issue of creating a) Senate. The priority is to reach an agreement among ourselves in the committee.”

Noting that the atmosphere was “positive,” Bou Saab added that “everyone agreed that dialogue and discussion with this level of openness are necessary within parliament and among ourselves.”

“It became clear that there is complete openness, and we agree that we will discuss these laws, which is what we will follow through on. We also agreed that before the second session, we will collect all proposals related to amending the current law and examine them," he added.

For his part, Lebanese Forces deputy chief MP George Adwan stated: "We support holding elections as soon as possible, and we consider that there is an existing law under which elections should be held as swiftly as possible.”

He added: “This law requires significant preparations. Our mission as a parliament is to urge the Ministry of Interior to begin its preparations, and if parliament needs to focus on an issue, it should focus on how to support the government. From this perspective, our readiness to call on the government to hold parliamentary elections at the earliest opportunity stands, and we will participate in any session on this basis."

As for passing a new electoral law, Adwan said: “We cannot, from our perspective, engage in discussions until after we resolve the weapons issue, as it is linked to the future system.”

“We will submit a draft law as soon as possible to bring forward the election date, while simultaneously ensuring that this current law remains actionable and implementable as quickly as possible," he went on to say.