Statement by the Lebanese Diaspora Groups:

Amending the electoral law is a prerequisite for equality between resident and non-resident voters

Based on our constitutional right to vote as non-resident citizens without any discrimination, given that voting is a guarantee of exercising our political rights effectively, and considering that the Parliamentary Election Law No. 44/2017 stipulates the adoption of the six-seat rule for non-residents, beginning with the 2026 elections, we, as diaspora groups, took the initiative to propose amendments to the aforementioned law. These amendments would guarantee the right of non-resident Lebanese to vote in their original electoral districts and would eliminate the six seats reserved for the diaspora. This materialized as a result of collaboration with members of parliament who lent an ear to the voice of the diaspora and interacted with it seriously and responsibly. This cooperation resulted in nine MPs submitting a law proposal that basically stipulates the following:

-      Abolishing the six-seat rule for non-residents and enshrining the right of non-resident voters to vote according to their place of registration, guaranteeing the diaspora the right to vote for the 128 seats, as was the case in the 2018 and 2022 elections.

-      Abolishing considering the “diaspora” as a single electoral district by amending the article that organizes the electoral process abroad on the basis of a proportional system and a single electoral district for the six seats, because creating a hybrid electoral district that spans six continents makes it difficult for candidates' campaigns and limits the impact of the power of the diaspora vote.

-      Expanding the scope of expatriate participation in the parliamentary elections by opening the door for registration for a period of six months, starting on May 20 and ending on November 20 of the year preceding the elections, noting that in the 2018 and 2022 elections, the period was limited to one month and 20 days only, and that the law did not specify a deadline for opening the door for registration, leaving this matter at the discretion of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior.

-      Reducing the required number of registered voters in one electoral center from 200 to 100, and considering accredited diplomatic missions, both resident and non-resident, as one electoral center when calculating the number of registered voters.

This proposal came as a result of previous communication and consultation between diaspora groups, MPs and political blocs, where it was discussed in detail to secure the broadest possible consensus around it.

While we appreciate and recognize the efforts of the MPs supporting this proposal, we urge all parliamentary blocs to adopt it, and urge the parliamentary bureau to include the law proposal on the agenda of the first general assembly in order to approve it as soon as possible.

May 13, 2025

Signatory groups:

Celibal Latin American Center for Lebanese Studies, Change Lebanon, Collectif Libanais de France, Diaspora Libanaise Overseas, Forum Libanais en Europe, Kulluna Irada, Lebanese Executives Council, Lebanese Expatriate Movement, Lebanese National Alliance, Meghtebrin Mejtemiin, Mouvement des Citoyens Libanais, Our New Lebanon, Sawti, TeamHope, The Lebanese Diaspora Network, World Lebanese Cultural Union.