Lebanese Election 2022: Expat Voices on Voting, Hope, and Change.
Lebanon is bracing for parliamentary elections this year, scheduled to take place in May. It’s the second time the diaspora will be participating in the vote, after taking part for the first time in 2018.
Over 240,000 expats registered to vote this year – a number which was celebrated by opposition parties who believe these could raise their chances of beating the ruling elite.
It has worried establishment parties, most of whom in the past agreed to unconstitutionally delay the general elections twice, and would most likely agree to do it again if given the chance.
LevantX spoke to some expats around the world, asking them what their thoughts are on these election and whether or not they would be voting.
Omar, UAE.
Voting in the Beirut 2 constituency.
Omar, living in the UAE, thinks there’s a chance for change in Lebanon.
“Of course I’ll be taking part in the upcoming elections. Each one of us is an element of change that will help bring a new ruling class, better than the ruling class which governed us for 30 years through corruption and disastrous economic policies that pushed the country to abyss.
I registered to vote from the United Arab Emirates. I’ll be voting to any candidate that has a clear plan for change, not someone who was picked by a party and has no vision and expects us to vote for them blindly, or just because he’s the son of so and so.
This person might not be well known, but they could be able to succeed on different levels, be it economically, politically, socially or legally. That is who I’ll give my vote to, not to someone who is only looking for power.
I do believe there is a chance for change in Lebanon. If there wasn’t, nations and governments wouldn’t have changed around the world. If we go back in history we see that many countries were governed by dictators or corrupt leaderships, but eventually change happened and these nations have moved forward.
Our top priorities in Lebanon should be fixing the financial situation and the energy crisis. Fix the economy and provide people with their very basic needs like electricity.”
Abeer, USA.
Voting in Mount Lebanon’s Aley-Chouf constituency.
Abeer, voting from Michigan, USA, wants to support a reformist group in the upcoming Lebanese Elections.
“I’m definitely taking part in the elections, and I’ve registered to vote from Michigan in the United States.
My vote will go to independent, reformist groups in my electoral district, and I believe that change is possible even if not by a big margin. But this is the start.
The priorities in Lebanon should be the very basics, such as electricity and free healthcare to all. And of course fixing the economy and setting new, fairer policies.”
Talal, Qatar.
Voting in the Beqaa’s Zahle constituency.
Talal, living in Qatar, believes healthcare and education should be the priorities for any new government.
“Taking part in these elections is the last option I have as a citizen of this country, because I don’t know what other chances we have if we fail this time.
I’ve registered to vote abroad, in Qatar, and my vote will most likely go to Citizens In A State if they have candidates in my district, or Sabaa. Any alternative to this cartel-militia establishment.
These elections are a chance to take revenge more than a chance for change, revenge against those who destroyed our country and forced us out. As much as I want to build Lebanon, I also want to see those in power being dragged in the streets and beaten.
I believe the priorities should be healthcare and education.”
Tonia, UAE.
Voting in North Lebanon’s 3 constituency (Zgharta, Bcharreh, Koura, Batroun).
Tonia, based in the UAE, sees her vote as part of an overall movement to building a better Lebanon.
“I will definitely be voting in the upcoming elections. Not only because it’s my right, but as an obligation amid the tragic collapse on all levels in our country, and the pain that our people are going through on a daily basis. It’s our duty to vote for change as long as have this power.
I think it’s absurd to be able to have this liberty and not use it.
I decided to vote in Lebanon as I want to engage in every possible way on the ground to help mobilise people and pit my skills and time at the service of change makers in the country. Behind my enthusiasm is a strong conviction that we can make change happen. Not a sudden shift of everything, realistically, but indeed one step further towards building a nation of justice, peace and prosperity.
It’s very hard to identify one socioeconomic priority at the moment, given that absolutely no sector is functioning at even near average. However, right now, the crisis is mainly being exacerbated by the absence of monitoring over traders who are holding a monopoly over for imports, i.e. medication, foodstuffs, fuel and money exchangers.
These must be immediately cracked down on, as a big part of the crisis will be contained.”
Elias, France.
Voting in the Beqaa’s Zahle constituency.
Elias, residing in France, believes in constitutional reform and an independent judiciary.
“I’ll definitely be voting and have registered to vote in France.
My vote will go to the Kataeb party, and I believe we have a chance but the electoral battle will be fierce.
The fight for Lebanon’s sovereignty and reforms are both equally important. But if I really need to pick something to start with, it would be an independent judiciary, and have the legislator be in charge of all government oversight bodies instead of the cabinet.
Another top priority will be decentralisation. The 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon’s 15-year civil war, stipulates that a decentralised system be established, and that hasn’t been respected till this day like many other things.”
Tariq, Kuwait.
Voting in the North Lebanon 2 constituency (Tripoli).
Kuwait-based Tariq believes education is the key to rebuilding Lebanon.
“I’ve been counting the days since the October 17 2019 uprising to vote. There hasn’t been a day since then where I haven’t thought about the elections.
In my opinion the Lebanese don’t know how to revolt on the ground, and we saw the momentum die down not long after October 17, which was supposed to be our golden chance to end the ruling elite once and for all, and the movement began spontaneously.
So our only option is to revolt on Election Day, in the ballot boxes.
I registered to vote in Kuwait three days before the deadline because I wanted to be sure of where I will be during the elections, which were moved from March to May.
It’s still hard for me to say who I will vote for exactly, but certainly a group that is new and completely against Iran’s influence over Lebanon (through Hezbollah) which has turned our unique nation into a failed state. I want to vote for someone who has no foreign affiliations at all.
I believe change is possible, but the chances are still slim. This is because many of the country’s educated elite have migrated, so there’s a dangerous brain drain happening. Another reason is many people still have a sectarian lens rather than put the national interests at heart, but would rather vote for someone just because they’re from the same religious sect. And also not all the expatriates who registered to vote abroad are with anti-establishment, secular parties, but rather might still vote for the mainstream, sectarian parties.
Our priority should be education first and foremost! Japan after the Second World War, Singapore as it rose from poverty to success, all happened thanks to education. I cannot stress this enough. Education, education, education, and working to create a unified and solid national identity.”
Mohammad, Nigeria.
Voting in the Beqaa’s Western Beqaa-Rashaya constituency.
Mohammad, in Nigeria, sees voting as a duty.
“Of course I’m participating, it is our duty and the least we can do in the current circumstances to take part in the election which will decide the country’s fate.
I’ve registered to vote outside Lebanon, and will give my vote to anyone who is really committed to the slogan ‘Kellun Yaani Kellun’ [All of them means all of them, a slogan which began in the 2015 protests sparked by the trash crisis, referring to government officials who are accused of corruption and clientelism].
In my opinion, the chances for change aren’t big, but what’s important is the chance happening in society, the awareness, the way this is reflecting on people’s thoughts and discussions, and this, with time, will undoubtedly lead to bigger change. I think this year, there will be some changes to the political scene.
My top priority in Lebanon is fighting the state within the state (in reference to Hezbollah).”
Keep following the for our latest work on the Lebanon Votes 2022 series.
Get to know some of the reformist, secular partiessome of the reformist, secular parties running in this year’s election. LevantX is interviewing representatives from some of these groups, and you can watch these videos on our social media pages.