Ali Hassan Khalil promises 'a political battle' in favor of the current electoral law

MP Ali Hassan Khalil, the second-in-command of the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, on Sunday launched a sharp attack on proposed changes to Lebanon’s electoral law that would expand voting rights for expatriates.

Speaking at a ceremony in Ras al-Ain-Deir Qanoun commemorating residents killed in the war with Israel, Khalil opposed efforts to allow Lebanese living abroad to vote for all 128 parliamentary seats according to their place of origin, rather than the six currently allocated under existing legislation.

"We have a duty to wage a political battle, and we are going to do it. We will not allow anyone to impose a decision or a choice that disregards our role and position in the country's political life. We must preserve our right to conduct these elections both internally and externally," he said.

Under current law, the Lebanese diaspora can vote for only six seats in Parliament. A bill backed by a majority of MPs would allow expatriates to cast ballots for all 128 members based on their place of origin. But Parliament Speaker Berri has refused to place the bill on the agenda, leading to a lack of quorum in the last two parliamentary sessions.

This week, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government endorsed a draft law designed to freeze the relevant article ahead of the May 2026 parliamentary elections and keep diaspora voter registration open until the end of the year. The urgent draft still requires parliamentary approval.

Critics of the Amal-Hezbollah bloc suspect the parties fear losing influence if expatriates vote in larger numbers, arguing that citizens abroad are less susceptible to political pressure. The parties counter that the current geopolitical and economic climate, including the war’s impact and international sanctions on Hezbollah, limits their ability to lobby expatriates.

Khalil vowed "a long battle," citing "the will, faith, and loyalty of our people, who go from victory to victory." He accused opponents of lacking nationalism and a genuine sense of partnership, calling the amendment an attempt at "a political coup that serves the interests of some citizens at the expense of others."

"Let no one bet on our weakness. We will engage in a political battle in favor of the current electoral law and against the proposed amendments aimed at applying pressure," he concluded.