Gov’t expects some problems when applying proportional list

The government expects some problems to arise when applying the proportional list to the elections law and is awaiting proposals on means to resolve these problems by the National Dialogue Committee, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said Saturday. During a meeting with political party leaders, Bakhit said the expected problems include failure to produce a parliamentary majority that would be needed to form governments from winning political parties. The National Dialogue Committee, which concluded its meetings earlier this year by recommending the adoption of an electoral system on the basis of proportional representation at the level of electoral districts and the country as a whole, still did not agree on a mechanism to overcome possible electoral snags, said the prime minister, who met with members of the committee last week. Bakhit told political party leaders on Saturday that he would continue consultations with representatives of political forces over the elections and political parties draft laws in order to prepare draft legislation derived from the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee in a manner that would meet the aspirations of these forces and citizens as a whole. The premier expressed his government’s commitment to presenting the required draft legislation on elections, political parties as well as the independent commission that would supervise the elections during the upcoming ordinary session of Parliament, giving them urgency status. The independent commission will not only be in charge of monitoring the elections, but will also be entrusted with running the process and ensuring its fairness and integrity, Bakhit noted. The most important aspects of the new elections law is that it would cancel the one-person, one-vote formula, produce a more representative Lower House of Parliament, activate the role of political parties, enhance the participation of youths and give them more say in the decision-making process. “The proposed legislation also encourages the integration of local components of society and thus would be considered as an active device in fighting negative phenomena that plagued society over the past years, namely violence,” said Bakhit. The premier added that municipal elections will be held before the end of this year, adding that the government welcomes any organisations or observers intending to monitor the polls.