Latest news with #LebaneseDiaspora
LBCI
4 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Diaspora delegation urges equal voting rights for Lebanese expats in 2026 elections
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Wednesday with a delegation representing 16 active Lebanese diaspora groups from across the globe, who pressed for equal voting rights for non-resident citizens in the 2026 parliamentary elections. In a statement following the meeting, the delegation reaffirmed its opposition to limiting expatriate voting to just six seats, as stipulated in Lebanon's current electoral law (Law 44/2017). Instead, the group demanded the right for all non-resident Lebanese to vote in their original districts, just as resident citizens do. The delegation urged the Parliament to amend the relevant provisions in the law at the next legislative session to ensure full constitutional equality and political participation for all Lebanese, regardless of location. According to the group, the proposed legal amendment has already gained the support of over 60 MPs. The proposal includes several measures to expand diaspora participation: extending the registration period for overseas voters from 50 days to six months, reducing the minimum number of registered voters per polling station from 200 to 100, and treating both resident and non-resident diplomatic missions as a single center for voter count purposes. The delegation also called for practical steps to enable expatriates to cast their ballots, particularly by easing the renewal of passports and ID cards to ensure their eligibility for upcoming elections.
LBCI
09-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Diaspora groups push for electoral law amendment to confirm expat voting rights for all 128 parliamentary seats — press release
In response to a unified legislative proposal submitted by 16 Lebanese diaspora groups from various countries around the world, nine members of the Lebanese Parliament-Michel Douaihy, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Georges Okais, Osama Saad, Adib Abdel Massih, Faisal Sayegh, Neemat Frem, Hagop Terzian, and Ahmad El-Kheir submitted a draft law on Friday, May 9, 2025, to amend certain provisions of Law 44/2017 regarding the election of members of Parliament. This proposal aims to allow non-resident Lebanese citizens to exercise their voting rights in their original electoral districts, as was the case in the most recent elections. It seeks to cancel the six parliamentary seats currently reserved for expatriates, thereby affirming the principle of full political equality between resident and non-resident Lebanese citizens. As of the issuance of this statement, several parliamentary blocs and independent MPs have announced their public support for this proposal. Notable supporters include Paula Yacoubian, Halime Kaakour, Najat Saliba, Mark Daou, Melhem Khalaf, Elias Jarade, Yassin Yassin, Cynthia Zarazir, Waddah Sadek, and Ihab Matar. The number of MPs backing the amendment now totals approximately 50, reflecting a growing momentum in Parliament and highlighting the importance of correcting the representational imbalance affecting the Lebanese diaspora. The initiating diaspora groups have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing efforts through engagement and coordination with all MPs and parliamentary blocs to bolster support and ensure the adoption of this amendment, which restores rightful political recognition to Lebanese expatriates as a vital component of national and political life. Initiating Diaspora Groups: The Lebanese Diaspora Network, Lebanese Overseas Diaspora Association, World Lebanese Cultural Union, Kollouna Irada, Lebanese Forum in Europe, United Expatriates, Council of Lebanese Executives, Lebanese Citizens Around the World, Sawti, Lebanese Diaspora Movement, Change Lebanon, Collectif Libanais de France, Lebanese National Alliance, Latin American Center for Lebanese Studies, Team Hope, Our New Lebanon.
