Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Sunday of a coordinated attempt to derail the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, accusing unnamed actors of seeking to obstruct the vote through a controversial legal opinion issued by the Justice Ministry.
In remarks to the Lebanese daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri said he was “astonished” by the response of the Justice Ministry’s Legislation and Consultations Authority to an inquiry from Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar regarding voting procedures for Lebanese expatriates.
A Scheme to Block Elections
The Authority had been asked to clarify whether Lebanese citizens residing abroad may vote from their country of residence for all 128 parliamentary seats. Berri rejected its advisory opinion, stressing that it is non-binding and cannot supersede existing law.
“For the first time, we hear of a judge halting the implementation of a law instead of ensuring its enforcement. The law cannot be bypassed through a non-binding consultation,” Speaker Berri said.
“A premeditated plan to prevent the parliamentary elections from taking place on schedule at the instigation of a certain party.”
“This response was not spontaneous. It was prompted by a side that is planning in advance to obstruct the elections and prevent them from being held on time. The vote must proceed in accordance with the current electoral law.”
Commitment to Holding the Vote
Speaker Berri also announced that he had personally submitted his candidacy for the upcoming elections, saying the move was intended to dispel speculation that he favors extending parliament’s term.
“I took the initiative to run in order to put an end to claims that I support an extension of parliament’s mandate on the grounds that the Amal Movement’s popularity has declined and that we have no interest in holding elections,” he said. “We have chosen to abide by the ballot box. It alone provides the answer to such allegations.”
He reiterated his insistence that elections be held on time and urged all political parties to assume responsibility for facilitating the process rather than creating obstacles.
Advisory Opinion on Expatriate Voting
The Justice Ministry’s advisory body had responded to Al-Hajjar’s inquiry regarding expatriate voting mechanisms, particularly amid difficulties in implementing the so-called “16th electoral district” designated for overseas voters.
According to available information, the Authority expressed reservations about abolishing the 16th district without new legislation passed by parliament or without applying it through regulatory decrees.
In direct response to the Interior Ministry’s question, however, the Authority affirmed the right of Lebanese expatriates to vote from abroad within the country’s 15 existing electoral districts, as was the case in the previous election cycle.
Source: Al-Manar Website