The Interior Ministry’s Caretaker Judge Bassam Mawlawi has declared that the department is fully prepared to host municipal and elective elections. He stated that invitations to the electorate bodies will soon be issued along with the necessary circulars related to candidacy. Mawlawi called for the provision of the requisite funds to enable successful contests. During the press conference, he emphasised the importance of holding the elections on time and adhering to the law in terms of the election calls. Mawlawi revealed that the ministry was already on administrative readiness and the electoral lists were ready with polling station allocation decisions and candidacy deadlines set to be issued shortly. He urged relevant authorities to secure the funds required to finance the elections since their impact on the regions is huge. The elections are expected to be held May 7 in northern Akkar, May 14 in Mount Lebanon, May 21 in Beirut, the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel, and May 28 in southern Nabatiyeh. Mawlawi appealed to officials not to obstruct the elections by using employee strikes as an excuse.
Caretaker Interior Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi announced his ministry’s readiness to conduct municipal and elective elections. He added, “We are obliged to invite the electorate bodies, and today or tomorrow we will issue the necessary circulars related to candidacy.” He called for “securing the necessary funds to run in the elections.”
In a press conference held at the ministry, Mawlawi said, “The municipal and optional elections at this stage are a challenge for us, and we are accustomed to confrontation in the interest of the citizen and the application of the law,” stressing that “persistence and intention are necessary to hold elections, but that is not enough, and our persistence was accompanied by action.” .
He called for “commitment to holding elections on time due to their importance, and we will abide by the law with regard to calling the electorate.”
Mawlawi said, “We are on administrative readiness, and the electoral lists are present. Decisions to divide polling stations will be issued, and deadlines related to candidacy will be issued today in the afternoon.” by law.”
And he stressed the need for the competent authorities to secure the funds necessary to finance the elections, because of their great impact on the regions, pointing out that “the cost of the elections is secured by the state and some money that comes from the UNDP, while the rest must be secured by the state.”
Mawlawi pointed out, “The date for the elections will be as follows: May 7 in the north and Akkar, May 14 in Mount Lebanon, May 21 in Beirut, the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel, and May 28 in the south and Nabatiyeh.”
He also stressed that “every employee will be given his right and his fatigue,” adding that “we cannot throw responsibility on the rightful employee strikes, to disavow the elections,” and he appealed to “everyone not to obstruct the elections.”
LebanonBassam Mawlawi
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In conclusion, Lebanon’s caretaker Interior Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi has announced the readiness of the ministry to conduct municipal and elective elections, and called for securing the necessary funds to run the elections. He emphasized the importance of holding the elections on time and urged everyone not to obstruct the process. It is a significant step towards strengthening the democratic process in the country and ensuring the citizens’ representation in local and regional government. The upcoming elections will take place on various dates across different regions in May, and we hope that the process will be smooth and fair.