Deadline For Submitting Senate Poll Petitions Is April 17, 2013

Section 132 (2) of the Electoral Code states that, "The Constitutional Council shall rule on all petitions filed by any candidate, any political party which took part in the election or any person serving as a representative of the administration for the election, requesting the total or partial cancellation of the election operation."

With regard to the content of the petition, paragraph 3 of Section 133 of the Electoral Code makes its clear that, "Under pain of rejection, the petition shall specify the alleged facts and means. It shall be posted up within 24 hours of its submission and notified to the parties concerned who shall be allowed 48 hours to submit their replies against a receipt."

Concerning the deadline for the petitions, Section 133 (1) of the Code specifies that, all petitions filed must reach the Constitutional Council within no more than 72 hours after the close of the poll.

Paragraph 2 of the same section says, "The Constitutional Council may if it deems necessary, hear any applicant or request the submission of evidence, against a receipt."

The ruling on the petitions and final vote counting will pave the way for the declaration of election results in accordance with Section 240 of the Electoral Code. "The Constitutional Council shall proclaim the results of the election of Senators within 15 days following the close of the poll."