Letter from the WLCU to the Members of Parliament about amending the Electoral Law
To the Esteemed Honorable Members of Parliament,
Subject: Proposals from the World Lebanese Cultural Union on Amending the Electoral Law
The World Lebanese Cultural Union respectfully presents to you a series of proposals derived from extensive discussions held with Lebanese diaspora communities around the world. These proposals reflect the sentiments of expatriates who remain deeply connected to their homeland and aspire to play a meaningful role in Lebanon’s path toward reform and change through their votes.
We hope you will incorporate these proposals into the ongoing discussions during the extraordinary parliamentary session, particularly regarding the parliamentary electoral law.
1. Abolition of the Six Seats Reserved for the Diaspora
The World Lebanese Cultural Union calls for the amendment of Article 112 of Law 44/2017 and its annexes to abolish the six parliamentary seats reserved for the diaspora and to grant equal voting rights to both resident and non-resident citizens for all 128 members of Parliament, in accordance with their registration districts across the nation. This request is based on the following reasons:
1.1) To uphold the principle of equality between resident and non-resident voters.
1.2) To avoid reducing the diaspora’s voice to just six seats—or any fixed number of seats.
1.3) To shield expatriates from political and social divisions.
1.4) To prevent the diaspora from being drawn into sectarian disputes.
1.5) Given current estimates suggesting that there are between one and 1.5 million eligible Lebanese voters abroad, it is inappropriate to treat the global diaspora as a single electoral district encompassing six continents, which complicates campaigning and limits the impact of their vote.
1.6) Most registered expatriates emigrated under duress due to security or economic issues, and they remain emotionally and practically tied to their towns and villages. They deserve the right to influence local affairs as if they still lived in Lebanon.
2. Voting Mechanisms for Parliamentary Elections Abroad
Based on our experiences during the 2018 and 2022 elections—from voter registration to ballot organization and election day logistics—we have identified key areas to enhance registration and participation:
2.1) Display candidates’ names on expatriate ballots in the language of the host country (or in Latin script) alongside Arabic. This will help younger voters who are not fluent in Arabic make informed decisions without outside assistance.
2.2) Extend the voter registration period for expatriates to six months. The electoral law currently sets a deadline of November 20, but in 2022, voters abroad were given only one month and twenty days, which negatively affected registration and turnout.
2.3) Announce the election date earlier to allow voters abroad to plan accordingly for registration and voting, considering travel and holidays.
2.4) Lower the minimum number of registered voters required to establish a polling centre from 200 to 100, and count both resident and non-resident diplomatic missions as one unit when calculating numbers. Current logistical hurdles have forced many voters to travel to other countries or states to vote, which reduced participation rates.
2.5) Increase the number of polling stations in major cities to ensure broader participation.
2.6) Protect non-resident data and ensure that no specific group has early access to embassy registration lists before their official and legally scheduled publication.
2.7) Ensure that each voter is assigned to the polling station closest to the address they provided, minimizing the need for long-distance travel.
2.8) Implement online voting in the future, as this system has already been successfully tested in diaspora elections in several countries.
Conclusion:
The 2026 Lebanese parliamentary elections come at a critical juncture in the nation’s modern history. Amid rising emigration due to economic collapse and displacement caused by border unrest and regional wars, it is essential that elections be conducted in a manner that ensures the participation of all citizens and preserves hope for a better Lebanon. The Lebanese diaspora plays a vital role in the Lebanese economy, and it is only natural that they be included politically as well.
Guaranteeing the full and fair participation of the diaspora in the 2026 elections is a pivotal step toward a more inclusive, representative, and democratic Lebanon. We therefore urge Parliament to avoid any delays in implementing the aforementioned reforms and to seriously consider integrating these proposals into the anticipated electoral reforms to ensure a fair and transparent voting process—especially for Lebanese citizens living abroad.
We look forward to further dialogue on these matters and remain ready to collaborate to achieve a fair and effective electoral process.
World Lebanese Cultural Union
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