Mawlawi Says Megacenters 'Impossible' without Legislative Amendment
Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said that he cannot proceed with the megacenters plan without a legislative amendment.
Mawlawi told al-Joumhouria, in remarks published Wednesday, that he had warned against security risks that megacenters could cause.
"They are underestimating the issue," he said, adding that "it is not just a tent or a box.
Prime Minister Najib Miqati had requested Mawlawi to study setting up voting megacenters in the upcoming parliamentary elections, following a letter from President Michel Aoun, who had described the plan as necessary.
Mawlawi's study said it will be impossible to set up the megacenters within the deadlines, citing legal, logistic and financial difficulties.
The study also said that legal amendments are required. It failed to convince the president.
Thus, Cabinet formed a ministerial committee to study the project.
After meeting twice, The ministers of interior, finance, foreign affairs, education, culture and telecom agreed that the megacenters plan requires a legislative amendment. The minister of justice, for his part, said no legal obstacles prevent the move.
He said Tuesday, that the minister of tourism had supported his opinion and that Cabinet will discuss the committee's report in its upcoming session on Friday.
"Cabinet will decide on the legal aspect," he clarified.
09 March 2022, 15:23
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Lebanon's government officials are good at saying "No":
... "No I can't remove the ammonium nitrate without Hezbollah's permission"
... "No I cannot bring Rafic Hariri's assassins to Justice without Hezbollah's permission"
... "No we won't agree to maritime borders so that production of our natural gas resources can power the electrical grid citizens should be able to rely on without Hezbollah's permission"
So: just what will they say "Yes" to? Freedom and independence for Lebanon? or is that too much to ask of our government?
