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Lebanese Elections Assistance and Parliament Support Project (LEAPS)
Lebanese Elections Assistance and Parliament Support Project (LEAPS)
Summary
Following the completion of two electoral cycles including the successful support to the 2016 municipal elections, 2018 and 2022 parliamentary elections and 2019 parliamentary by-elections, UNDP started a new electoral cycle support towards the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections: Lebanese Electoral Assistance and Parliament Support Project (LEAPS). This project has the main objective to promote democracy and human rights in Lebanon through the conduct of transparent, free and inclusive national and local elections.
UNDP LEAPS will focus on the technical support to the organization and conduct of the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections, technical assistance to legal framework reforms and parliamentary processes as well as an important crosscutting component focused on electoral reforms and innovations, political participation and gender equality.
And to that end, UNDP LEAPS works closely with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM), which has responsibilities for electoral management, administration and overall electoral operations. The project also supports other electoral stakeholders, such as the Supervisory Commission for Elections, the Constitutional Council with responsibilities for electoral disputes. Furthermore, the project works with the Parliament, general secretariat, and heads of parliamentary committees. In addition, the project works in close cooperation with civil society organizations active in the area of elections, political participation and reforms.
Background
Despite the economic, financial and security challenges that faced Lebanon, Parliamentary elections were successfully held in May 15th, 2022. The upcoming parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in May 2026 as per the electoral law No 44/2017. In the preparation for the upcoming elections, discussions and debates will be focused on implementing core reforms related to the implementation of megacenters, adoption of a gender quota law and temporary special measures as well as clarifying main components related to the modality and powers of the Supervisory Commission for Elections and the regulatory procedures of the out of country candidacy and voting. The project is set to support the preparations and organization of these elections starting from the voter registration update process until the announcement of the final results and lessons learned.
In reference to the municipal elections that were scheduled initially for May 2022 have been postponed by the parliament first time up to May 2023, a second time up to May 2024, and a third time up to May 2025. The postponements were endorsed by the government and approved through a dedicated law by the National Parliament.
Major achievements
- Organization and conduct of:
o 2016 municipal elections
o 2018 parliamentary elections
o 2019 parliamentary by-elections
o 2022 parliamentary elections - Since 2017, convening and managing the Electoral Working Group including CSOs, International Organizations, donors, experts and practitioners.
- Promoting inclusion and participation of women through the development of draft gender quota laws and temporary special measures.
- Promoting participation of youth in elections through awareness and education campaigns.
- Enhancing accessibility of PWDs to the electoral processes through support to the MoIM to put in place measures to improve the physical and informational accessibility.
Project outcome
Through a multi-component approach, the project has the intended outcomes of providing technical assistance and support in the following key electoral areas:
- Support to the electoral management and administration.
- Support to the campaign supervision and electoral monitoring.
- Enhanced electoral dispute resolution process.
- Promoting the adoption of key electoral reforms leading to enhanced participation, inclusion, and transparency.
- Institutional support to the parliament.
GESI Component
The Gender equality is mainstreamed throughout all project components. In addition, the project includes one dedicated component fostering inclusive political participation of women, youth and People with Disabilities. This component envisages organizing in partnership or through grants workshops, info-sessions and roundtables on legal reform, gender equality and civil rights. In addition, cultural events will be conducted leveraging cooperation and resources of partners in the civil society. A special emphasis will be given to promote and advocate for women empowerment and gender equality in political participation processes and in elections through temporary special measures such as gender quota in the municipal and parliamentary elections. These activities intend to engage both women and men in training programs and activities at regional level, gender focused surveys and meetings with women council members.