Lebanon’s elections on hold: Why Parliament holds the key

Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

In front of the cameras, Lebanon’s officials can say whatever they want about the fate of the upcoming parliamentary elections, but the reality of whether the elections will take place is an entirely different matter.

It all depends on Parliament. If the Lebanese public does not see Parliament convene to amend the election law, it means parliamentary elections cannot take place as scheduled in May. 

Why? Because in all scenarios — whether elections are held in May under the current law, under an amended law, with a two-month technical extension to July, or with a one- or two-year extension of Parliament’s term — the starting point must always be Parliament.

Holding elections under the current law, with the adoption of District 16 and in May, would require the government to issue implementing decrees to distribute the six seats allocated to expatriates across the continents. More importantly, Parliament must convene and suspend Article 84, which requires the use of the magnetic voting cards. 

The issue of the megacenters does not require a law amendment and can be resolved by a decision from the interior minister.

If the goal is to hold elections under the law adopted in 2022 — without District 16 and without the magnetized card — Parliament must meet and suspend Article 84, as well as Articles 112 and 122, which allocate six seats to non-resident Lebanese and increase the number of members of Parliament from 128 to 134.

If the goal is to postpone elections from May to July, or by one or two years, Parliament must vote on a proposed law extending its term.

In all three scenarios, Parliament must meet with a regular quorum — 65 members out of 128 — and any amendment to the election law must be approved by a majority of those present.

Amid all this, the legally required 90-day notice for calling the electorate must not be overlooked. This period ends on February 10 if elections are to be held on Sunday, May 10 — just 11 days before the end of the current Parliament’s term.