PSP Challenges Electoral Deadlines Suspension

The Progressive Socialist Party of MP Walid Jumblat submitted on Friday a challenge before the constitutional council over the suspension of the electoral deadlines set by the 1960 law.

The council has one month to either accept or reject the challenge.

PSP official Nashat al-Husniyeh told LBCI TV that the challenge was made after it “became clear that some (parties) are seeking to extend the parliament's mandate and throw the country in a vacuum.”

Eleven lawmakers have signed it. They include the 8 MPs of Jumblat's National Struggle Front bloc, and Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, Ahmed Karami and Marwan Hamadeh, he said.

Constitutionally, the president, the speaker or 10 MPs could challenge a law. If the challenge is approved by at least seven out of the 10-member constitutional council, it would become effective.

The head of the council, Issam Suleiman, said he will call for a session next Monday to study the challenge.

President Michel Suleiman signed earlier this month the draft-law suspending the deadline for submitting nominations for the polls until May 19.

The draft-law was referred to the president after it was approved by parliament despite the boycott of the National Struggle Front.

It calls for setting the deadline for submitting candidacies to three weeks before the elections date. It also allows candidates who seek to withdraw their nominations to do so 15 days before the polls.