Winks Blog

Rules changed back, All Sunnis Now Can Vote

After a brief debate Wednesday, the National Assembly voted 119 to 28 to restore the original voting rules for the referendum. Only about half of the 275-member legislative body turned up for the vote. The text approved by parliament Wednesday confirmed that the word "voters" throughout the election rules in the interim constitution has a single meaning: those who cast votes. Now, even if a voter is not registered, she/he can vote. After the reversal in the rules yesterday, Sunnis were going to boycott the vote for the new referendum.

Under the restored election rules, Sunnis can defeat the document if they get a two-thirds "no" vote in any three provinces, even if a nationwide majority approves the charter. Sunnis have a chance of doing so in four of 18 provinces.

Will the Sunnis come out in numbers and defeat the referendum? Your guess is as good as mine. If they do, it will be back to the drawing board to re-write the constitution. Chapter open.

Have a nice day.

posted by Wink @ 9:28 AM