Beirut: The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), supported by funding from the European Union, has launched the 'Lebanon Electoral Reform Initiative 2026'. This initiative aims to foster dialogue on electoral reform priorities and bolster Lebanon's government and parliamentary efforts towards electoral reform.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the initiative focuses on several key priorities, including the strengthening of the Supervisory Commission for Elections, the establishment of Mega Centers, the enhancement of women's political participation, and the improvement of election-day procedures. The launch event, held during a national conference, was under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, represented by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri, with participation from Members of Parliament, officials, ambassadors, and various organizations.
In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri emphasized the government's commitment to reforms promoting transparency and accountability, highlighting that electoral reform is a collective responsibility. He noted that the diversity of participants at the conference could lead to the transformation of recommendations into actionable reform initiatives.
European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, stated that the EU has allocated £22 million over the past 15 years to support Lebanon's electoral processes. She expressed the EU's readiness to deploy Election Observation Missions for the 2026 elections upon request, stressing that previous missions have provided important recommendations for enhancing voter turnout and ensuring fair and transparent elections.
LADE Secretary-General Ammar Abboud explained that the initiative is a result of over 29 years of advocacy for an electoral law that truly reflects the people's will. He stressed the importance of addressing structural challenges in the electoral system through comprehensive reforms, viewing the initiative as an opportunity to prepare for the 2026 elections and advance democratic change.
The conference included three panel discussions focusing on key reform pillars for the 2026 elections. The first panel addressed the Supervisory Commission for Elections, emphasizing its legal and financial independence and its role in monitoring media and campaign spending. The second panel discussed the establishment of Mega Centers and the need for legal amendments to improve voting access, particularly for residents outside their electoral districts, and emphasized adopting a gender quota for women's political representation. The third panel focused on improving election day procedures, ensuring access for persons with disabilities and the elderly, standardizing protocols, and enhancing polling staff training.