Lebanese–American Coordinating Committee for Equal Voting Rights Between Residents and Expatriates.
As part of its ongoing follow-up on developments in Lebanon, and after a meeting held by members of the Committee’s Executive Board with Lebanese journalists to discuss the issue of expatriate voting for all 128 members of Parliament, the Lebanese–American Coordinating Committee (LACC) stated in a released communiqué that it reaffirms the need to return to the provisions of the Constitution and to abolish Articles 112 and 122 of the Electoral Law. Below is the full text of the position paper distributed to the U.S. administration in Washington, and in Lebanon through the following statement:
“The Lebanese–American Coordinating Committee (LACC) renews its firm commitment to the right of equal political participation for all Lebanese citizens, including the millions living abroad. Lebanese expatriates are not a marginal group; they are an essential extension of the Lebanese nation and must be granted full and equal participation in the country’s democratic life.
Article 112 of the current Electoral Law—which restricts expatriate representation to six parliamentary seats distributed by sect and continent—is unconstitutional and discriminatory. It violates the principle of equality enshrined in Articles 1 and 24 of the Lebanese Constitution and undermines the unity of the Lebanese electorate. Furthermore, the constraints set by Article 122 reinforce inequality and distance Lebanese expatriates from their natural role in shaping the future of their homeland.
Lebanese officials have acknowledged that implementing Article 112 is logistically impossible. Former Minister of Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, as well as the official report of the current government on electoral preparations, confirmed that organizing elections across continents based on sectarian distribution is neither administratively nor financially feasible. For this reason, Article 112 was suspended in the 2018 and 2022 elections, and expatriates were able to vote within their original electoral districts—a model that proved effective and constitutionally sound.
In this context, although 67 MPs submitted a petition in June 2025 calling for the urgent abolition of Article 112, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri blocked the proposal from being placed on the agenda. This obstruction undermines the democratic process, violates the internal regulations of Parliament, and prevents it from fulfilling its constitutional duty to represent the Lebanese people.
Therefore, the Lebanese–American Coordinating Committee (LACC) calls for the immediate repeal or amendment of Articles 112 and 122 to ensure that all Lebanese citizens living abroad are able to vote for all 128 Members of Parliament. The Committee also urges the Constitutional Council to uphold the Constitution and prevent any attempt to legalize inequality among Lebanese citizens.
The 2026 parliamentary elections represent a pivotal opportunity to recalibrate Lebanon’s balance of power and restore constitutional governance. Ensuring full participation of expatriates is a cornerstone for achieving two urgent national goals: first, dismantling militias; and second, implementing long-delayed reforms. This is a moment that requires true national unity and collective commitment to renewing democratic parliamentary life.”
The position text was signed, following the meeting, by:
Joseph Haj / Executive Director of the American-Lebanese Policy Institute (ALPI-PAC);
Milad Zaarour / President of the American Foundation for Lebanon (AFL);
Walid Maalouf / President of the Lebanese-American Renaissance Partnership (LARP);
Sami El-Kadi / President and Founder of Lebanese for Lebanon Foundation (LFLF);
Elias Semaan / President of the Lebanese Information Center (LIC);
May Rihani / Director of the Washington Office of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU).
Additionally, “The Civic Influence Hub”—the Lebanese advisory partner to the Committee, represented by its Executive Director Dr. Ziad El-Sayegh—fully adopts and endorses this rights-based position related to Article 24 of the Lebanese Constitution.