BEIRUT — The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) reported an increase in the frequency of vote-buying ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to a report published Wednesday. The report documented an increase in the pressures put on candidates, an abuse of power and public resources in campaigning for candidates and an increase in speeches that are heated, sectarian and accuse others of treason. The report documented these incidents from April 1-11.
Here’s what we know:
• “Many candidates are taking advantage of the economic and financial deterioration and the worsening living conditions of voters, so vote-buying comes to the fore under the name of aid,” the report stated, giving several examples.
• LADE defines vote-buying in its report as any aid given by a candidate to citizens during the campaigning phase, especially if the product or service given is supposed to be provided to the people by the state.
• For the sixth month in a row, the Makhzoumi Foundation, owned by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, who was elected in 2018 and is running for Parliament in Beirut II, distributed food coupons throughout the Beirut II constituency, according to the report. Mayfadoun Public Secondary School in Nabatieh, meanwhile, was gifted an electricity generator from the Amal Movement through its candidate Hani Qobeisi, who took a souvenir photo with the students.
• Hani Saliba Foundation, owned by Hani Saliba, a candidate with the Lebanese Forces in the Metn area, announced the continuation of the health campaign, which includes free medical services.
• In terms of pressure on candidates, the report indicated that the 2022 elections preparations witnessed the sabotage of candidates’ posters, breaking down election tents, and beating candidates and their teams. For example in the Baaqlin area in Chouf, “an opposition tent was removed using a bulldozer,” the report said. “And when we contacted the head of the municipality, he said that a petition was signed by the residents of the area because the tent was causing traffic in the area,” the report added.
• Regarding public spaces, LADE documented that the Haret Hreik Municipality hosted an iftar during Ramadan for the families of the martyrs of Hezbollah, which was attended by Hebollah leaders. According to LADE, Saida’s head of municipality Mohamad al-Saoudi received the Saida-Jezzine district candidate supported by former Future Movement members, Yousef al-Nakib, at Saida’s municipality. The meeting was followed by him giving a “political speech from Saudi,” at Saida’s municipality, which LADE considered against electoral law given he was using public spaces for election purposes.
• The association also documented speeches that violate the election law, such as a statement by the Progressive Socialist Party’s candidate, who said, “Today we are willing to die so that Lebanon doesn’t become a small Iranian prison.” Another documented statement that violates the electoral law is one by Kataeb list candidate in Beirut I, Najib Lian, where he said, “Those who want to find out the truth about what happened on August 4 [port explosion] have to go and vote as if they’re going to church on Sunday.”
• LADE concluded it will “continue its work in the coming period of observing and checking violations in all electoral districts.” It also asked voters and candidates to report on any violations on its email info@lade.org.lb.