Interior Ministry Ban on Rallies in Places of Worship

N.N.A. 21/5/2009 Ministry of the Interior,has imposed a ban on holding electoral campaigns in places of worship and public places deemed unacceptable to the law citing to this effect the decree dated on April 30,2009 and article 73 of the electoral law. However,and with respect to religious endowment properties and annexes,the ministry left it the respective religious authorities concerned to decide as to the feasibility of using them for electoral purposes or not

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LADE reports 133 violations between April 24 and May 7

BEIRUT – The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) held a press conference at its headquarters in Sanayeh, Friday at 10am, to announce its second report concerning the violations to the electoral law which took place between April 24 and May 7.
 
During this period of time 133 violations were reported, mostly related to articles 59, 68 and 71 of the electoral law. Exaggerated electoral financing, distribution of services for electoral purposes, usage of inappropriate language, and taking advantage of public goods and funds for electoral ends, are some of the various election related violations. Different Lebanese parties from both March 8 and March 14 as well as independents were mentioned in the LADE report.

Amongst those violations: several meetings in religious and public places such as a meeting for women supporting the Future Party in the Basaba Mosque in the Chouf region; a reception during which Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who is also running for the election in Saida, received guests in the Grand Serail for electoral purposes.

Moreover, LADE also notes that a ceremony was held under the patronage of Speaker Nabih Berri, in the American University in Hermel during which former Minister Ali Hossein Abdallah assured that the opposition's list will definitely win. Several pictures of candidate Michel Aoun were displayed at the Lebanese University in Fanar as well. The electoral list of Baalbek candidates was declared in front Baccus Temple in Baalbek knowing that it's a public landmark under the management of the Ministry of Tourism.

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) is an association that aims at improving the Lebanese electoral system and reinforcing the fair and democratic practice of parliamentary and municipal elections in Lebanon. Its main objective is to increase voter awareness and commitment to their electoral rights and duties and to monitor elections and insure its fair application based on the Lebanese regulations and laws. LADE is managed by 12 executive committee members directly elected from the general assembly. Its general assembly counts around 200 volunteer members of concerned citizens from all over Lebanon. The Electoral research committee conducts research on electoral system and laws reform, organizes conferences, seminars, lectures related to elections, generates and collect literature on election systems.

 

source: iloubnan.info

Syria meddling in Lebanese polls

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 13 (UPI) -- Syrian intelligence officers are visiting with Lebanese nationals in an effort to interfere with the June parliamentary elections, leaders said.
Samir Geagea, a leader of the right-wing Lebanese Forces Party, accused Syrian intelligence officials of swaying Lebanese nationals living in Syria in an effort to influence the June vote, the Lebanese news outlet Naharnet reports.
Two American officials -- Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and National Security Council Senior Director Daniel Shapiro -- pressed the issue of the Lebanese parliamentary elections in June as a test for the Syrian commitment of non-intervention following years of heavy-handed tactics in Beirut.
Geagea, whose party is a member of the pro-Western March 14 coalition, said the intelligence claims highlights "the extent of interferences in the polls given their importance."
Lebanon holds parliamentary elections June 7. The March 8 coalition, which includes lawmakers with the Lebanese Hezbollah, is expected to take a slim majority over the March 14 slate.
source:
http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/05/13/Syria-meddling-in-Lebanese-polls/UPI-47521242245541/