Preparations for Lebanon’s next parliamentary elections have quietly moved forward in recent weeks, with political parties gradually setting final election dates and reaching an implicit understanding on the law that will govern the vote, sources told Al-Modon.

Parliamentary elections in Lebanon are traditionally held in May, and current reports suggest they are most likely to take place between May 3 and May 17. If expatriate voting abroad is approved — a possibility considered unlikely at this stage — it would occur a week before domestic polling, on May 3 or May 10, with voting inside Lebanon following on May 10 or May 17. If the elections are limited to domestic voters only, they are expected to be held within the first two weeks of May, unless a technical postponement is agreed upon.

Sources within the Amal Movement said the party has now shifted to practical election preparations, including internal organization and outreach to various social groups. Preparations have progressed from forming a supervisory body and holding preliminary meetings to direct field operations, all under the personal supervision of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, given the strategic significance of the vote.

Berri, the sources added, has repeatedly stressed in private that “the elections will be held on time and under the current law, and if that proves impossible due to government shortcomings, they will at least be held domestically.” They said that scenario is considered almost certain.