[LCM Articles] University group leads resurgent push for creation of new electoral law

[Farrah Haidar]

University group leads resurgent push for creation of new electoral law
'Many people don't realize how important it is' to vote
By Maria Abi-Habib
Daily Star staff
BEIRUT: Disappointed that the so-called "Cedar Revolution" failed to bring about electoral reforms,
university students are pushing their fellow youths to support a draft law submitted to the government
last year. "I'm disappointed because we had the Cedar Revolution in 2005 and they didn't create a new
electoral law," said Sana Tannoury, a Lebanese American University (LAU) student affiliated with the
University Initiative for Electoral Reform (UIFER). "The draft law creates a third line - a new generation
of politicians to eliminate all existing ones - which is why I think the politicians are not implementing
it."
Though parliamentary elections aren't slated to be held until 2009, an ongoing row between the
government and the opposition may yet result in early polls, in which case UIFER wants the country to
be prepared with a new electoral law - a step all political parties advocated before the 2005 elections
but was never realized.
In July 2005, the newly elected Parliament appointed a panel headed by former Minister Fouad Boutros
to draft a new electoral law. Its recommendations were scheduled to be discussed in Parliament on July
13, 2006, the second day of the summer war with Israel.
To regain momentum, UIFER plans to have the draft law taught in eight leading universities this
semester, including LAU, Notre Dame University (NDU) and
the American University of Beirut. The group hopes students will then pressure Parliament
to consider the draft during its next session, scheduled to open in mid-March.
"All parties are ignoring the law. This isn't a March 8 versus March 14 issue; neither wants to discuss
the law," said Eugen Dabbous, a UIFER member and professor at NDU. "UIFER has one main goal: to
keep this draft law from being swept under the rug."
Dabbous began familiarizing his students with the draft law last semester.
"Politicians are demanding a new electoral law and new elections but there's this draft law that no one
is discussing," said Jeffery Karam, an NDU student and UIFER member. "We want to know why the
government hasn't passed the draft law."
The group is touting the draft law as an opportunity for youths to reclaim their rightful role in the
country.
"In any political system students are going to be the future of the country and should push for laws to
reform the state," Tannoury said.
Professors at NDU and LAU began incorporating the draft law into their curricula last semester. Pleased
with the results, UIFER decided to include more universities this semester.
"The parliamentarians are going to look ridiculous if the students come up with a new law and they
don't - that is the new Lebanon. The young are supposed to be getting prepared to take over their
country for the future instead of walking around with sticks and hitting people," Dabbous said, referring
to sectarian clashes at two universities in late January that left four dead and over 150 wounded.
"Do we want [students] riding around on scooters chanting party slogans or do we want them to deal
with the difficult task of government reform?" he asked.
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http://www.dailystar.com.lb/printable.asp?art_ID=79714&cat_ID=1 2/21/2007
UIFER member also note that the proposed draft law would allow more students to take part in the
practice of democracy.
"It's important to show students that if this law passes, we students will be eligible to vote and be part
of the political process," said Karam. "Most university students are between the ages of 18 and 22 -
and the draft law will reduce the voting age from 21 to 18."
Tannoury added that once students learn about the electoral process they will see how much is at
stake and want to become involved.
"The draft law is important to teach in universities as there are some students who will know nothing
about elections - there's this illiteracy on voting," she said. "Many people don't realize how important it
is to decide who will represent you, especially in Lebanon, where if your dad votes for that party, you
do. This will tell people that they have the right to chose and their vote will decide the future of the
country."
The draft law contains several elements, including: a hybrid electoral system mixing proportional
representation with a simple majority system; a 30 percent quota for women on each party list; caps
on campaign spending; and the establishment of an independent commission to monitor elections.
UIFER sees the application of proportional representation and an independent commission as the two
most important aspects of the draft. Dabbous said that pressure from students could ensure these
concepts are not watered down in Parliament.
"Parliament will just appoint another useless commission ... that looks good on paper but is
ineffective," he said. "The second issue is to save proportional representation - the MPs are worried
about [proportional representation] as they won't be able to cheat anymore. Well-educated,
experienced students and those in civil society will help save these two items."
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