NNA - The Parliamentary subcommittee tasked to come out with a suitable electoral formula for the 2013 legislative elections wrapped up on Wednesday its first round of sessions, after which MP Robert Ghanem said that the Committee would soon refer a report on the outcome of discussions to House Speaker, Nabih Berri.



Ghanem, who chaired 18 sessions by the subcommittee, disclosed the existence of many common and vital points among conferees.



"Making these points public will take place after they gain the approval of Speaker of the House Nabih Berri," Ghanem added.



On emerging, MP Alain Aoun expressed hope that agreement would be made over the Orthodox Gathering's electoral law, saying if this were to happen; it would be the most important accomplishment by the subcommittee.



"We hope the Orthodox law will find its way towards the Parliament's General Assembly," Aoun added.



In turn, MP Akram Chehayeb said that the National Struggle Front's proposal hadn't received its rightful share of discussions.



"The majority and proportionality-based proposals were rejected by some sides. But we delivered a detailed briefing on the number of districts and proportions of our initiative," added Chehayeb, stressing that the sole solution to the prevailing political impasse would be via dialogue and acceptance of one another.



Future Parliamentary bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat made clear that his bloc fully rejected the Orthodox electoral plan due to its proportional formula.



"We will not accept a proportional formula under the pressure of arms," he said, fearing this would obstruct elections in some Lebanese regions.



Albeit, Fafat insisted that the electoral law would require more than 65 parliamentary votes to be adopted.



"The electoral law will not be decided upon by merely 65 votes because it's a basic law," stressed Fatfat.



For his part, Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan reiterated his bloc's support to the Orthodox Gathering's electoral proposal.



"But it's never too late to fetch another law which ensures proper representation," he added.



Albeit, Adwan sounded confident that the Orthodox plan would be easily granted the approval of the General Assembly, "but taking into consideration the obsessions of other political teams we are still seeking other options."



In turn, MP Serge Toursarkisian "eulogized" the Orthodox electoral proposal, saying "the Lebanese have wasted a great opportunity, but we don't know who's to be held accountable for such eventuality."



Kataeb Party MP, Sami Gemayel, hoped that an electoral law which ensures parity would eventually be adopted "without making any political team feel targeted."



Listing the many electoral possibilities that the subcommittee had discussed during its sessions, Gemayel said that MPs had also proposed minimizing districts in a majority-based electoral law, so that nine cazas would be adopted at the proportional level.



"This would drastically improve Christian representation and true partnership in this country. Thus, we brought up our proposal which was unfortunately met by a veto from here or there," said Gemayel.



The Kataeb MP added that his Party and the Lebanese Forces stood at the same wavelength. He said that both parties had been opened to discussions through all the different stages, especially those which sought to ensure true partnerships.



As for an electoral formula which combines the Orthodox Gathering's law and proportionality, Gemayel said that he strongly adhered to this opportunity.



"We shall continue discussions on this idea, unless we discover a better law which gains wider support," he added.


==================R.H.