Lebanese Diaspora Organizations Demand Equal Voting Rights Ahead of Elections

Several Lebanese diaspora organizations have renewed calls for full and equal voting rights for citizens living abroad, warning that continued legislative delays threaten the constitutional rights of non-resident Lebanese as national elections draw closer.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, the groups criticized the government for proceeding with election preparations without establishing workable arrangements that allow expatriates to vote. They argued that while announcing elections is a constitutional requirement, it is meaningless if a significant portion of citizens remains effectively excluded from participation.

The organizations also faulted the current electoral law, which reserves only six parliamentary seats for non-resident voters. According to them, this provision undermines the principle of equality by differentiating representation based on residency, despite the large size and economic contribution of the Lebanese diaspora.

They further noted that the existing framework lacks the necessary implementing decrees, making overseas voting impractical. Past acknowledgements by state officials, they said, have already confirmed that the law, as it stands, cannot be enforced for non-resident voters.

Emphasizing that the right to vote is guaranteed by the constitution, the groups stressed that it should not be postponed or diluted due to political calculations. They called on parliament to urgently amend the electoral law to guarantee fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory voting rights for all Lebanese citizens, regardless of where they reside.

The statement was endorsed by a broad coalition of diaspora networks and civic groups across Europe, the Americas, and other regions, reflecting growing pressure from Lebanese communities abroad for electoral reform.