Jumblatt: Necessity of Holding Municipal Elections on Scheduled Date

A statement was issued today, Monday, by the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Jumblatt, stating: "The term of the municipal and optional councils will end at the end of May, and we are fully aware that large areas in Southern Lebanon are experiencing military activities preventing elections from being held there. However, at the same time, we cannot leave the country in a state of complete paralysis at such a crucial level of authorities and their pivotal role towards the people." He continued, "From this standpoint, and since the municipal and optional elections law requires the call for the electoral bodies at least 90 days before the date of this entitlement, it necessitates that Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi issues a decree calling for the electoral bodies before the 26th of this month. Using the military situation in the South as an excuse to complete the paralysis of the country is completely unacceptable. We can consider postponing the elections in towns experiencing military operations as they are living through a compelling circumstance, but this does not mean leaving the country once again without municipal elections. Many municipalities have become dissolved, and the majority have been paralyzed and bored due to the extensions. Hence, it is crucial to hold the municipal and optional elections on their scheduled date, away from any new extensions, despite the unfortunate military conditions in some areas of the South."