Aoun says parliamentary vote must be held on time, expats participation 'a must'
President Joseph Aoun stressed Wednesday the need to hold the parliamentary elections on time, adding that the participation of expats is a must.
Aoun's comments come amid tensions over the current electoral law which only allows expats to vote for six newly-introduced seats in parliament, with Sixty-five MPs -- forming a parliamentary majority -- demanding to amend the law in order to allow expats to vote for all 128 seats.
Hezbollah and Amal argue that they do not enjoy the same campaigning freedom that other parties enjoy abroad and are objecting the amendment.
"The Lebanese diaspora should take part in the political decision-making in Lebanon by participating in the vote," Aoun said, as he met with a delegation of the 65 MPs who had submitted a draft law to amend the electoral law.
Speaker Nabih Berri had refused to discuss the amendment in Parliament. He said the May 2026 elections will be held on time but that "there is no time for any amendment".
Source: Naharnet
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