A statement was issued yesterday by Dura municipal council describing the CEC as an “opponent” because it had taken the decision to resume elections in Dura. Another statement signed by some political parties stressed on the unity of Dura and the surrounding villages, referring to the amalgamation of Dura and surrounding localities. In this context, the Elections Commission wishes to clarify that the CEC is an independent and objective entity that functions according to law thus, considers the merging of Dura with surrounding villages to be an entirely private matter that concerns Dura, the surrounding villages and the Cabinet. However, the CEC is only concerned with the integrity of the entire electoral process which requires refraining from making any administrative amendments to localities in the midst of elections.
It is worth mentioning that the Cabinet decision issued on 10th July 2012 which calls for local elections to be held on 20th October 2012 has clearly named the localities in which elections will be held considering Dura as one entity and the surrounding villages as separate localities. Moreover, in a letter addressed to the CEC on 10th October 2012, the Cabinet has also confirmed that no decision has been issued to amalgamate Dura with surrounding localities.
On its session held on 13th November 2012, the CEC discussed the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice issued on 12th November 2012 and decided to resume elections in Dura and the surrounding villages. In this step the CEC wishes to clarify that it is only applying the law, therefore in the event any citizen or list perceives CEC’s decision as arbitrary should refer to the judiciary being the sole body entitled to decide on this matter instead of referring to offensive statements in the media.
On this occasion, the CEC calls upon all citizens and political parties to understand the legalities by which the CEC functions and to support the holding of free and transparent elections in Dura on the 24th of October 2012.