Gyorgy Holvenyi, chief observer of the electoral observation mission (EOM) set up by the European Union (EU) to monitor the legislative elections on May 15. (Credit: Twitter @eueomlebanon22)
BEIRUT — Gyorgy Holvenyi, the chief observer of the European Union’s Electoral Observation Mission said on Thursday after a meeting with President Michel Aoun in Baabda that his organization will draw up a report that includes recommendations for possible reforms after the upcoming legislative elections.
Here’s what we know:
• “This mission is proof of the EU’s commitment to peace and democracy in Lebanon. This organization was set up at the request of the Lebanese authorities. Part of this team arrived in Lebanon on March 27 and will remain there until June 6 … The mission will publish a report with recommendations later,” explained Holvenyi. “Our report will include a final assessment of the electoral process and will offer recommendations for possible reforms.”
• For his part, President Aoun said that “the absence of mega voting centers could result in a low turnover” at the polls. The establishment of these megacenters was demanded by Aoun’s camp, but Najiib Mikati’s cabinet did not approve the request, but rather postponed their adoption for the 2026 legislative elections. Megacenters would allow citizens to vote near their place of residence as opposed to in their village of origin as is the case now.
• Holvenyi later convened with Mikati at the Grand Serail to discuss “ongoing preparations for the elections,” Mikat’s office wrote on Twitter. The two officials also discussed “the arrival of observers and their deployment across Lebanese regions.”
• The European official is yet to meet with Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi at the ministry’s headquarters. Holvenyi will also meet with several senior state officials, political parties, religious leaders, electoral bodies and members of civil society. He will hold a press conference to officially launch the EOM on Monday April 11.
• Lebanon’s Elections Supervisory Commission said Thursday in a press release that it had created an email address open to the public that is “ready to receive complaints of all kinds, requests for review, clarification or information concerning the executive measures and practices related to the elections, in accordance with its prerogatives.” The email address is: supervisorycommissionforelect@gmail.com