A guide to Lebanese parliamentary elections.

So if you’re Lebanese, and you’re under the age of 30, then you pretty much know by now that there is almost nothing more complicated within our tiny borders than our political system.

You might also be hopeless, indifferent or just not interested in the Lebanese electoral system or the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 6th, 2018, in almost a month! But here’s why you should be. It is a bit of a long read, but I promise it’s worth it. Stick through till the end.

The last Lebanese parliamentary elections happened in 2009, meaning that the make-up of our national parliament now was decided almost a decade ago. In 2013, parliament extended its own term (is that even allowed?) for another 2 years and 7 months, until 2017. This was due to the fact that they could not agree on a president throughout their entire term and because of the internal division that the Syrian civil war created within Lebanon. In 2017, they extended their own term again for a year (again, is this legal? what kind of precedent are we setting here?).

So this is why these upcoming elections on May 6th, 2018, are so historic. If you’re under the age of 30, and you’re a Lebanese citizen, you’ve pretty much never had the opportunity (it was taken away from you, twice) to exercise your democratic right to cast a vote. A third of the population, at least, has never voted. That’s outrageous. Let’s fix that.

On a plus side though, these elections are also a historic opportunity because they will be the first since the new electoral law was approved in June 2017. The new law is not perfect, it cannot be perfect while it is still sectarian, as it does not truly provide democratic representation, BUT, it is more proportional now. It is a step in the right direction, but it is a highly confusing step, and it is meant to be purposely confusing.

Let’s simplify it for you.

You can only vote according to the district that you are registered in, and each district has it’s own lists and each list has its own candidates for the seats assigned to that district. The seats are also then split up according to religious sects (caza). You can vote for one list, and one preferential candidate (from the same list).

Actually, I spent an hour trying to explain the how the votes will be split up and then failed miserably at making a coherent structure. So I will borrow BlogBaladi.com ‘s explanation, as it just makes the most sense.

Credits to Najib at Blog Baladi for the In-depth explanation

Credits to Najib at Blog Baladi for the In-depth explanation

Credits to Najib at Blog Baladi for the In-depth explanation

976 candidates were registered for this year’s elections, 111 of whom, are women.

You will notice that I did not add the actual candidates’ names, nor their policy standpoints. There is a reason for this. I could not find a single policy outline of any of the lists or the candidates online or in any of news articles, anywhere. The only information is what list they are running in, which is usually either a coalition of the same status-quo parties with a “cool” or “catchy” slogans and their religious sect (caza), because they assume people will only vote in line with their religious sect, and the victorious candidate of the many campaigning for the same sect seat, will be the most known or influential one. This is not an election on policy, but on coalitions and allegiances.

Lebanon’s amended constitution set up this confessional representational sectarian system to immediately put an end to the civil war that was ongoing at the time, but it was always meant to be temporary, with even the constitution indicating that there should be gradual effort to change it from the semi-democracy that it is now, to a full democracy based on the principle of “one person, one vote”.

Article 24 of the Lebanese constitution states that “until such time as the Chamber enacts new electoral laws on a non-confessional basis, the distribution of seats shall be according to the following principles:

a. Equal representation between Christians and Muslims.

b. Proportional representation among the confessional groups within each of the two religious communities.

c. Proportional representation among geographic regions.”

That has not happened. And as such, for this election, we are chasing our own tails in a vicious cycle that continues the status quo in Lebanon that has prevailed for over 3 decades. Lebanon’s political status quo and its culture of corruption will inevitably, and much sooner than we think, come crashing down on its ignored realities. Lebanon’s debt to GDP ratio is expected to rise up to 180% by 2023, and even the Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani has stated that he “doesn’t think the gravity of the situation is understood by everyone”.

I cannot tell you who to vote for, nor will I ever hope to do so, but lest you forget, that the status quo has stayed the way it has for so long, due to the fact that it benefits those in power. And for that reason, I welcome the new additions of the lists of independents in most districts, they could cause a fundamental change to Lebanese politics, slowly but surely. We cannot be a blinded electorate, and if you’re not sure why so, the electricity scarcity, water scarcity, the degradation of the environment, the inequality in the growing economy, the fiscal distress of Lebanese banks, falling tourism, a patriarchal system, the fact that the dominant political parties actually own Lebanese debt and gain interest from the payments tax payers pay on a continuing basis, and Lebanon’s existence in a geopolitical web of games between a dozen actors, are just a few to mention.

Look below to find your district, and the lists running for your district. The Lebanese parliament has 128 seats, with 65 seats needed for a majority, for a term of 4 years. The political parties and alliances need us for a majority, so let’s carefully decide who we cast our vote for. I would argue that if which candidate in particular wins is irrelevant to you, but you know what list you are voting for, to still cast a preferential vote for a candidate, as it could just give them that little boost in the proportional system that they need.

This is a breakdown of everything you need to know.

• You can vote if you are a Lebanese national above the age of 21.
• You cannot vote if you have been convicted of a felony.
• You cannot vote if you are a member of the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, or are a Customs Officer.
• Lebanese citizens living abroad CAN vote (this is a big milestone) at their embassies or consulates. The deadline to register to vote, however, was November 20th, so I really hope you registered (I did).
• The Lebanese diaspora, starting the next election cycle after this, will be given 6 parliamentary seats representing them.This will push the number of parliamentary seats to 134 for one term only, after which, the 6 seats will be integrated into 128 original seats.
• If you are a Lebanese by a naturalization decree, you must have been a citizen for 10 years to be able to cast a vote. This does not apply to women who have attained Lebanese nationality by marrying a Lebanese man (as if Lebanese institutional law wasn’t sexist enough already).

On the day of the vote, the polling stations will be open on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please line up early, and go vote. You will need to know this:

• Bring a valid Lebanese ID or Passport
• When voting, you need to choose the list that you are voting for AND the name of the preferential candidate that you are voting for, IF you are voting for a specific candidate.
• If you vote for only a preferential candidate, the list they are from will automatically get a vote from you, so you might as well vote for the list too.
• Choose only ONE candidate, or your vote is invalid.
• If you’re voting for a list and a candidate, the candidate MUST be from the same list that you voted for, or only the list will count as a vote.
• A blank vote is considered a valid vote, but I would urge you not to do so. Each vote is important, and this is how you project your voice as a citizen, make it count.
• After you’ve voted, you need to sign the voter’s list.

Some disappointments with the new electoral law:

• The voting age was not lowered to 18.
• There was no quota for women adopted, as had been hoped.
• We still operate on sectarianism, a vicious cycle of politicians using their communities to entrench the institutions. And on, and on, and on we continue.

Lebanese politics has always been characterized by looking at the past and arguing over it. Let’s look to the future for once, and agree on it.

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Credits to The Daily Star for the above info-diagram

In Beirut 1 (East Beirut), there are 8 seats allocated. 3 Armenian Orthodox seats, 1 Armenian Catholic seat, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Catholic seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Minority Christian seat.

• Beirut the first (بيروت الأولى)
• We are Beirut (نحنا بيروت)
• We are all our nation (كلنا الوطن)
• Beirut the first, the strong ( بيروت الأولى القوية )
• Loyalty to Beirut (الوفاء لبيروت)

In Beirut 2 (West Beirut), there are 11 seats allocated. 6 Muslim Sunni seats, 2 Muslim Shiite seats, 1 Druze seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Protestant seat.

• The Beiruti opposition (لائحة المعارضة البيروتية)
• The future for Beirut (المستقبل لبيروت)
• We are all Beirut (كلنا بيروت)
• Lebanon is worth it (لبنان حرزان)
• People’s voice (صوت الناس)
• Beirut’s unity (وحدة بيروت)
• Beirut the nation (بيروت الوطن)
• Beirut’s dignity (كرامة بيروت)
• Independent Beirutis (البيارتة المستقلين)

In Baalbak-Hermel, there are 10 seats allocated. 6 Shiite seats, 2 Sunni seats, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Catholic seat.

• Hope and loyalty (الأمل والوفاء)
• Dignity and development (الكرامة والإنماء)
• National Cedar (الأرز الوطني)
• The independent (المستقلة)
• Development and change (الإنماء والتغيير)

In West Bekaa — Rashaya, there are 6 seats allocated. 2 Sunni seats, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Shiite seat, 1 Druze seat.

• Civil society (المجتمع المدني)
• A better tomorrow (الغد الأفضل)
• The future for West Bekaa and Rashaya (المستقبل لغرب البقاع و راشيا)

In Akkar, there are 7 seats allocated. 3 Sunni seats, 2 Orthodox seats, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Alawite seat.

• Women of Akkar (نساء عكار)
• Lebanon the sovereign (لبنان السيادة)
• Akkar’s decision (قرار عكار)
• The decision for Akkar (القرار لعكار)
• The future for Akkar (المستقبل لعكار)
• Akkar the strong (عكار القوية)

In Zahle, there are 7 seats allocated. 2 Catholic seats, 1 Armenian Orthodox seat, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Shiite seat, 1 Sunni seat.

• Zahle is our cause (زحلة قضيتنا)
• Zahle for everyone (زحلة للكل)
• Popular bloc (الكتلة الشعبية)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• Zahle’s choice and decision (زحله الخيار و القرار)

In Tripoli- Minyeh- Dinnieh, there are 11 seats allocated. 8 Sunni seats, 1 Maronite seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Alawite seat.

• Determination (العزم)
• Lebanon the sovereign (لبنان السيادة)
• National dignity (وطن الكرامة)
• The future of the North (المستقبل الشمال)
• The independent decision (القرار المستقل)

In Aley — Chouf, there are 13 seats allocated. 5 Maronite seats, 4 Druze seats, 2 Sunni seats, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Catholic seat.

• The free decision (القرار الحر)
• National unity (الوحدة الوطنية)
• The mountain’s security (ضمانة الجبل)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• Reconciliation (المصالحة)
• Civil Society (مدنية)

In Bsharri- Zgharta- Batroun- Koura, there are 10 seats allocated. 7 Maronite seats, 3 Orthodox seats.

• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• Together for the North and Lebanon (معاً للشمال ولبنان)
• Pulse of the strong republic (نبض الجمهورية القوية)
• The north the strong (الشمال القوي)

In Metn, there are 8 seats allocated. 4 Maronite seats, 2 Orthodox seats, 1 Catholic seat, 1 Armenian Orthodox seat.

• Metn is Lebanon’s heart (المتن قلب لبنان)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• Metn the strong (المتن القوي)
• Metn’s loyalty (الوفاء المتنية)
• Metn’s pulse (نبض المتن)

In Jbeil — Keserouan, there are 8 seats allocated. 7 Maronite seats, 1 Shiite seat.

• Lebanon the strong (لبنان القوي)
• National solidarity (التضامن الوطني)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• Decision is with us (عنا القرار)
• The definite change (التغيير الأكيد)

In Saida — Jezzine, there are 5 seats allocated. 2 Maronite Seats, 2 Sunni seats and 1 Catholic seat.

• For everyone (لكل الناس)
• Saida and Jezzine together (صيدا و جزين معاً)
• The power to change (قدرة التغيير)
• Integration and dignity (التكامل و الكرامة)

In Nabatiyeh- Marjayoun- Bint Jbel- Hasbaya, there are 11 seats allocated. 8 Shiite seats, 1 Sunni seat, 1 Orthodox seat, 1 Druze seat.

• Hope and loyalty (الأمل والوفاء)
• We can change (فينا نغير)
• The South deserves (الجنوب يستحق)
• One voice for change (صوت واحد للتغيير)
• We’ve had enough of talking (شبعنا حكي)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)

In Zahrani- Tyre, there are 7 seats allocated. 6 Shiite seats, 1 Catholic seat.

• Hope and loyalty (الأمل والوفاء)
• Together towards change (معاً نحو التغيير)

In Baabda, there are 6 seats allocated. 3 Maronite seats, 2 Shiite seats, 1 Druze seat.

• Unity and development Baabda (وحدة وإنماء بعبدا)
• Together for Baabda (سوا لبعبدا)
• We are all our nation (كلنا وطني)
• National Consensus (الوفاق الوطني)

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