Fresh elections may be held by the end of the year or in early 2013 as estimated by political sources, reported Al-Qabas yesterday. Meanwhile, sources indicate that changing the electoral system if the court finds the current law as being unconstitutional “will not be carried out by the 2009 Parliament, even if it can convene.”
“The Cabinet as well as Parliament’s head office is convinced that amending the law will be a huge mistake because it would add more fuel to the political tension, and give the opposition extra reason to gather citizens in public protests,” sources explained.
The 2009 Parliament has not been able to convene since it was reinstated by a Constitutional Court ruling that found its dissolution late last year to be unconstitutional. “Changing the electoral law by passing an ordinance released by the Cabinet remains a less costly option compared to amending it in a session for the 2009 parliament,” sources argued, reported Al-Qabas.
Meanwhile, the opposition announced establishing the ‘National Front for the Protection of the Constitution,’ which will launch campaigns against a governmental step to change the electoral law through an ordinance.
The announcement was made following a recent meeting by the opposition blocs who dominated majority seats in the annulled 2012 parliament. “The bloc named Musallam Al-Barrak, Faisal Al-Mislem and Adel Al-Damkhi as members of a coordination committee whose job will be to communicate with political groups and activists wishing to join the front,” said sources.
Yousuf Al-Shayji Secretary General of the Democratic Forum, as well as Secretary General of the National Democratic Alliance, Khalid Al-Khalid, told Al-Rai daily that their respective groups are yet to receive invitations to take part in the national front.
