Australia’s Lebanese push for voting reform

On November 13, 2025, the Lebanese community in Melbourne, Australia issued a formal petition to the Lebanese Consulate demanding calling for Lebanese citizens abroad to vote for all 128 Members of Parliament (MPs) according to their original electoral districts, rather than being restricted to a limited expatriate representation.

The protesters argued that this demand aligns with the Lebanese government’s recent raft bill, already referred to Parliament, and emphasized that expatriate participation in elections is a constitutional right that should not be suspended.

From whom was the delegation comprised of?

Lebanese Consul General Rami Hamidi received the delegation, which represented a broad cross-section of the Lebanese diaspora in Melbourne. He commended the delegation for its dignified approach and affirmed the government’s recognition of the diaspora’s crucial role, promising to forward the document to official authorities.

The delegation included various political parties such as the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party, Ahrar, Future Movement, Progressive Socialist Party, and Independence Movement, as well as social, religious, and cultural organizations.

Religious leaders from Christian and Muslim communities, including representatives from Dar al-Fatwa and various church parishes, joined the meeting, demonstrating a unified stance across sects and political affiliations.

Several civic and professional bodies, including the Lebanese-Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Lebanese Lawyers Council, and various charitable and social organizations, also endorsed the petition.

The community noted that visiting MPs Elias Stephan and Michel Moawad had already signed the document during a recent visit to Melbourne.

The petition’s core demands

Elias Melhem of the Lebanese Forces emphasized “the vital role of expatriates in supporting Lebanon through its crises” and “the necessity of respecting their political participation rights.” Other speakers echoed this message, underscoring the need for unity and continued mobilization to guarantee expatriate voting rights.

In their written statement, the protesters asserted that Lebanese abroad must be able to vote in parliamentary elections from their countries of residence, each within their original electoral district. They described this as a fundamental right that strengthens ties between expatriates and their homeland, allowing them to actively in the political decision-making and help rebuild confidence in state institutions; which could, in turn, contribute to their eventual return to their homeland. The statement framed diaspora voting as a symbol of loyalty to Lebanon and a tool to enhance democracy, social balance, and national cohesion.

The protesters strongly criticized Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for repeatedly blocking the urgent draft law ensuring expatriate voting, accusing him of “blatantly violating the constitution and Parliament’s internal rules.” They cited Article 3 of the electoral law, which explicitly guarantees voting rights to all Lebanese citizens, resident or not, once they reach voting age. The article states, “Every resident or non-resident, male or female Lebanese citizen may exercise their right to vote, provided that they have attained the legal age stipulated in the Constitution, enjoy their civil and political rights and are not in any of the non-eligibility situations set forth in the present law.” The community rejected claims that diaspora voting would divide the electorate, arguing instead that “depriving expatriates of their right to vote in their home districts is, in fact, the real act of exclusion.”

Furthermore, the delegation appealed to Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose government they described as committed to “salvation and reform,” to act decisively in protecting the democratic process and ensuring equality among all Lebanese citizens. They also called on Speaker Berri to convene a parliamentary session to ratify the government’s November 6 draft law allowing expatriates to vote from their countries of residence for all 128 MPs according to their original electoral records. It is worth noting that the mentioned Cabinet’s draft law stipulates the suspension of the election law provisions related to the creation of District 16, which includes 6 overseas seats for expatriates, for a single time only (according to the formula adopted in 2022), without completely abolishing it.

Finally, the petition expressed optimism toward the new presidential era under General Joseph Aoun. Citing his inaugural speech, which emphasized institutional reform and national sovereignty, the protesters called on the president to take a firm stance in defense of the constitution and ensure that expatriate voting is implemented without delay. They urged him to act through the Cabinet rather than leaving the matter to Parliament, which they accused Speaker Berri of dominating. According to the protesters, most MPs already support the urgent law recognizing full expatriate voting rights; a reform they believe will reaffirm Lebanon’s democratic foundations and reconnect its global diaspora to the nation’s political life.