Electoral/Political Party Reform – 2008
2008
On July 7 2008, the National Assembly passed the National Elections Act by 350 votes and 14 opposed, while two legislators abstained. The total number of MPs who participated in the vote was 366.1 The National Election Act adopts a mixed electoral system with 60% of National Assembly’s 450 members elected through the majority votes in geographical constituencies and 40% by proportional representation party lists, of which 25% was allocated to a separate women’s party list and 15% for political party lists. For the PR seats, the parties must receive 4% of the overall votes. This act was signed into law on 14 July 2008.2 Chapter Two of the Election Act provides for the establishment of an independent National Election Commission. The commission is composed of nine members appointed by the president with consultation of First-Vice President and approval of two-third members of the National Assembly. The National Election Commission’s composition is said to be inclusive of representation by including women and other civil society groups.
On November 17 2008, the National Assembly endorsed the members of the National Election Commission. The endorsed members were Abel Alier, Chairman; Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah, Deputy Chairman; and Fillister Baya, Mahassin Haj Al-Saffi, James Bol Kajmal, Abdallah Ballah Al-Hardalou, Mohamed Taha Abu Samrah, Mukhtar Al-Asam and Al-Hadi Mohamed Ahmed Hassabou.3