Lebanon’s expatriate vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections is approaching a critical juncture, as heated legal and political debates fuel growing concerns that their electoral role may be significantly curtailed. At the heart of the controversy is the current law provision that allows expats to elect only six members of parliament, rather than granting them full participation in choosing all 128 lawmakers.

Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel has voiced clear opposition to this restriction, reaffirming his firm stance on the right of Lebanese expatriates to vote for the entire parliament. He described their full and active participation as essential to the process of reforming Lebanon’s political system, breaking the country’s isolationist structure, and opening the door to a new era of pluralism, openness, and national renewal.

But behind these calls lies a deeper concern; one that Gemayel does not hesitate to express. He fears that the push to restrict expatriate voting may be driven, at least in part, by attempts to exclude the Shiite voice abroad. That segment of the diaspora, he believes, could play a critical role in disrupting the monopoly over Shiite representation and injecting much-needed diversity into that political space, just as is the case among other sects in Lebanon.

No Decision Yet as Talks Drag On

According to information obtained by kataeb.org, the ministerial committee tasked with reviewing amendments to the electoral law has held two consecutive meetings in the past two weeks. A parliamentary subcommittee is also scheduled to convene next Wednesday. So far, however, no definitive decision has been reached regarding the voting mechanism for expatriates, or whether authorities will replicate the 2022 model, which allowed them to vote for all 128 MPs.

Parliamentary sources confirmed to kataeb.org that no final agreement has been made, but stressed the logistical and administrative difficulties involved in implementing the six-seat system. With time running short and procedures becoming increasingly complex, some political parties are even considering flying expatriates back to Lebanon to guarantee their full participation in the electoral process.

Interior Ministry: Legal Ambiguities and Technical Obstacles

Sources familiar with ongoing discussions at the Ministry of Interior told kataeb.org that the ministerial committee is closely examining the technical and procedural challenges involved in applying the six-seat provision. They noted that the current law lacks a clear mechanism for implementing such an amendment, making it necessary to conduct thorough consultations to identify practical and legally sound solutions.

The ministry is reportedly evaluating the feasibility of setting up polling stations outside of traditional electoral districts and has expressed readiness to handle the logistical requirements. Meanwhile, the use of magnetic voting cards remains under discussion, with officials weighing whether to adopt them now or postpone implementation to a later date.

In the end, the absence of a clearly defined legal framework, combined with mounting logistical and time constraints, has left the future of expatriate voting hanging in the balance. The coming weeks may determine whether this right is firmly enshrined as an irreversible cornerstone of Lebanese democracy, or whether limitations will be imposed that reduce its scope and open the door to political compromises that strip it of its true substance.