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2009 Assessment

Lebanon: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Lebanon: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	75
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	95

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments: According to the Lebanese Constitution and the 2008 Parliamentary Elections Law, all citizens (residents or not on Lebanese territory) above the age of 21 are entitled to vote. In March 2009, a draft law was passed by Parliament to lower the voting age to 18, but the Constitutional amendment has yet to be made. On another note, Articles 4,5,and 6 of the 2008 Parliamentary Elections Law also set limitations to voting to following categories: persons deprived of civic rights, convicted persons, persons declared bankrupt or fraudulent, citizens naturalized for less than 10 years, and persons with military ranks.

References: Article 21 of the Lebanese Constitution Articles 3 to 6 of the Parliamentary Elections Law (Law no. 25/2008) [ LINK ]

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 1 of the Parliamentary Election Law (Law no. 25/2008)

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments: For the first time, non-resident Lebanese were included in the Law but due to technical reasons were not able to vote in the 2009 elections; however, facilities were given concerning passports.

References: Parliamentary election Law ( law no. 25/2008 amended by virtue of law no. 59/2008) [ LINK ]

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: This low score is mainly linked to the fact that Lebanon is one of the only countries that does not have pre-printed ballots. As mentioned in the EU report "The absence of official pre-printed ballots constitutes a serious breach of citizens' right to secrecy of their vote and in turn creates a space for possible irregularities by candidates and political parties."

References: [ LINK ] [ LINK ] European Union Election Observation Mission. Lebanon: Final Report Parliamentary Elections June 7, 2009 EUEOM: Brussels, Sept. 25, 2009, Page 4

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: However, nothing specifies a clear date on which the elections should take place.

References: The Lebanese Constitution

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments: Article 13 of the Lebanese Constitution guarantees the freedom of association.

References: The Lebanese Constitution

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: Yes, as long as they are aged above 25, enjoy civic and political rights, and are naturalized for more than 10 years. It is also the case for military personnel, judges, public employees, currently in service.

References: Parliamentary Election Law No.25/2008

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments: The 1909 Law of Associations is applied in the establishment of political parties as well. It is relatively easy to form a political party; the only requirement is to submit notification documentation to the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities.

References: 1909 Law of associations

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments: There are some conditions, such as financial costs. Women are not encouraged to run (by a women quota) and seats are distributed on a confessional basis.

References: European Union Election Observatory Mission. Lebanon Final Report. Parliamentary Elections, June 7, 2009 EUEOM: Brussels, Sept. 25, 2009, Pages 16-17

Researcher's expertise

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments: The current parliament is made up of 128 members, among which 71 seats are divided among parties affiliated to the majority (March 14 bloc) and 57 seats represent the opposition (March 8 bloc).

References: [ LINK ]

[ LINK ]