After two months of deliberation, the House of Representatives (HoR) has approved a new draft of election laws. The announcement came from the HoR spokesperson, just hours after Agila Saleh, the HoR Speaker, confirmed receipt of the proposed laws.
The new laws have been subject to intense debate and have faced widespread opposition. Critics argue that they were passed without sufficient consensus.
The revised laws grant dual nationals the right to participate in the first round of presidential elections. They also do not exclude military personnel from running for office. One notable provision requires all candidates to resign from their current positions, with a clause allowing them to return to their previous roles if they lose in the election.
The laws mandate that general elections must be conducted within eight months of their enactment. These elections will be overseen by a new government to ensure their integrity. Interestingly, the law prohibits members of this new government, including the Prime Minister, from running in the presidential elections.
The first round of presidential elections will coincide with parliamentary elections. The second round will align with senate elections. If the presidential elections fail, the law stipulates that the entire electoral process will be deemed null and void.
