Bill to reform the Electoral Code was approved in the first debate
The Plenary of the National Assembly must debate the modifications made to the three blocks of the project that reforms the Electoral Code.
The draft Law 544 reforming the Electoral Code of the Republic of Panama was approved in first debate on Thursday 7 October.
This approval came after the technical table for the review of electoral reforms completed the review of modifications to it, and the Government Commission of the National Assembly addressed the three blocks of the project.
In the debate, it was approved to maintain the mechanism for the distribution of seats (residual, quotient and half quotient) as established today in the Electoral Code.
Likewise, the collection of signatures through biometric or digital systems was established, as well as the prohibition of convicted persons from donating in a political campaign; also the top of the campaign and public funding for training of young people and people with disabilities in politics.
In addition, extraordinary conventions were included in political parties every two years, which could translate into a millionaire budget spending, according to deputy Luis Ernesto Carles.
For his part, the President of the Electoral Tribunal, Heriberto Araúz, warned that they will analyze to sue this law as "unconstitutional" before the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). "We know that they have the final decision and we respect the constitutional right of the deputies to approve the laws of the Republic ... the president may or may not veto the project, and in any case, any citizen can file a lawsuit before the Court. There are mechanisms that the State allows, and we do not rule out that possibility, "he said.
The technical table of electoral reforms, which achieved the first consensuses, was installed after the intervention of the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, after protests arose and the magistrates of the Electoral Court announced their decision to withdraw from the debate on electoral reforms due to changes introduced in the Government Commission.
This approval came after the technical table for the review of electoral reforms completed the review of modifications to it, and the Government Commission of the National Assembly addressed the three blocks of the project.
In the debate, it was approved to maintain the mechanism for the distribution of seats (residual, quotient and half quotient) as established today in the Electoral Code.
Likewise, the collection of signatures through biometric or digital systems was established, as well as the prohibition of convicted persons from donating in a political campaign; also the top of the campaign and public funding for training of young people and people with disabilities in politics.
In addition, extraordinary conventions were included in political parties every two years, which could translate into a millionaire budget spending, according to deputy Luis Ernesto Carles.
For his part, the President of the Electoral Tribunal, Heriberto Araúz, warned that they will analyze to sue this law as "unconstitutional" before the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). "We know that they have the final decision and we respect the constitutional right of the deputies to approve the laws of the Republic ... the president may or may not veto the project, and in any case, any citizen can file a lawsuit before the Court. There are mechanisms that the State allows, and we do not rule out that possibility, "he said.
The technical table of electoral reforms, which achieved the first consensuses, was installed after the intervention of the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, after protests arose and the magistrates of the Electoral Court announced their decision to withdraw from the debate on electoral reforms due to changes introduced in the Government Commission.