Lebanon

Observing 2009 Parliamentary Elections

How It Started

After Syria’s withdrawal, Lebanon endured three years of civil strife and political instability that came to a head in May 2008, when militia clashes killed 60 people. Faced with growing unrest, key leaders negotiated an end to the political deadlock.

• The Doha Agreement laid the groundwork for the reconvening of Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers, the election of a president, the consideration of electoral reforms, and an agreement to hold parliamentary elections in 2009.
• The Carter Center deployed long-term election observers in March 2009.

Our Work and Methods

• A delegation of 60 short-term observers from 23 countries monitored voting, counting, and tabulation processes at 350 polling stations in all districts.

Impacts

• The Center commended the Lebanese people and officials for the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections, with the results accepted by both the governing and opposition coalitions.
• Though the process fell short of meeting all of Lebanon’s international commitments – most notably the need to protect ballot secrecy – voting was conducted with enhanced transparency and in accordance with the country’s new consensual electoral law and regulations.

This project ended in 2009.