Lebanon - April 2023

On 18 April, the Lebanese parliament voted to postpone municipal elections for a second time. Municipal elections are supposed to be held every 6 years and were originally due to take place in May 2022. At that time, they were postponed for 12 months as they coincided with the parliamentary elections. This second postponement entails an extension of the terms of local officials who were elected in 2016 for a maximum of one year (until 31 May 2024). This additional postponement is due to the failure of the fragmented cabinet to approve legislation that would allocate funding for the election.

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections issued a statement condemning the vote, described as ‘undermining the democratic process and the principles of good governance’ and claims the extension is depriving citizens of the democratic process and the right to elect their representatives.

Sources: Parliament of Lebanon, AP News, Middle East Monitor, The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections