2018 Lebanese general election

Background

Following the last parliamentary election of 2009, it took several months to form a new government. Saad Hariri eventually became prime minister in a March 14 Alliance government formed in November 2009. About a year later, Walid Jumblatt's PSP broke away from the alliance and withdrew its ministers. Jumblatt then traveled to Syria for the first time in decades and met President Bashar al-Assad. After the government fell over the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a new government was formed by Najib Mikati that consisted of March 8 Alliance parties, as well as the PSP.

Over the course of the Syrian civil war, fissures started to grow in Lebanon as 14 March parties supported the opposition in Syria while 8 March parties were ostensibly supportive of the Syrian government, particularly in the early stages. The 8 March parties therefore faced accusation from the opposition and its affiliated media of kowtowing to the Syrian government. As the Syrian conflict started to spill over into Lebanon, both via refugees and Lebanon's own diverse demographics that are broadly reflective of Syria's own diversity, tensions started to grow. A spate of sectarian kidnappings and threats followed, some of which turned fatal.

On 22 March 2013, Mikati resigned, citing a negative climate over the appointment of a committee to oversee the election and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) head Ashraf Rifi, who was expected to retire in April, continuing in the position. On 5 April, a new 14 March Alliance-backed consensus candidate for prime minister was announced, Tammam Salam.

Postponement

A new president should have been elected by Parliament before the legislative elections took place. However, there was a deadlock which resulted in fourteen fruitless attempts to choose a head of state. Therefore, Parliament decided on 5 November 2014 to extend its term by 2 years and 7 months. The deadlock was perceived to arise from failure to reach quorum due to the voluntary absence of members from the ex- 8 March alliance.

Electoral system

Individuals could submit their candidacy for parliament until midnight of 6 March 2018. 976 candidates were registered, including 111 women. Candidates were obliged to join lists, which had to be finalized by 26 March 2018.

Electorate

The Shia electorate constituted the majority of registered voters in Bekaa III, South II and South III, together accounting for 79% of the total Shia electorate.

The Sunni electorate constituted the majority of registered voters in three electoral districts (Beirut I, North I and North II); these three districts represent around two-thirds of the total Sunni electorate.

63% of all Druze voters were registered in the Mount Lebanon IV electoral district, which elected four out of the eight Druze parliamentarians. 97% of the Druze voters were registered in districts from which Druze parliamentarians were elected.

96% of Alawite voters were registered in either the North I or North II electoral districts, which elected one Alawite parliamentarian each.

Maronite Christians constituted the majority of voters in Mount Lebanon I and North III; these two districts represented 42% of the Maronite electorate.

North III also hosted the largest concentration of Greek Orthodox Christian voters (20.7%), representing around a fifth of all Greek Orthodox voters throughout the country. According to 2017 data, the Greek Orthodox constituted 58% of the voters in the Koura minor district of North III.

Bekaa I hosted the largest concentration of Greek Catholic voters, about a fifth of the nationwide Greek Catholic vote.

Beirut I hosted the largest concentrations of Armenians, both Armenian Orthodox and Armenian Catholic voters, who elected 4 out of the 6 Armenian parliamentarians.

The Minorities (Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Latin Catholic, Chaldean Catholics, Assyrian Church and Copts) seat was now in Beirut I, which had the largest gathering of Minorities voters.

Jewish voters were mainly found in Beirut II, where they constituted 1.31% of the electorate.

Below is a summary of the demographics of the Lebanese electorate with data from 2017, divided by the qada administrative districts (or in the case of Beirut, the old 2008 vote law electoral districts).

Parties

Amal

The Amal-Hezbollah bloc fielded joint 'Hope and Loyalty' lists in the Bekaa III, South II and South III electoral districts. However, compared to the previous election, the Amal-Hezbollah bloc lacked an alliance with Michel Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement. But whilst FPM and Amal had parted ways nationally, they still managed to form alliances in Mount Lebanon III and Beirut II. In Mount Lebanon III (Baabda) the joint list carried the label 'National Reconciliation'. And whilst Berri and the Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil had a public fall-out in early 2018, which sparked street riots, Berri's post as Speaker of the Parliament appeared to be fairly secured during the electoral campaign. Both the Hariri and Jumblatt camps affirmed their support to Berri's speakership in the run-up to the polls. According to political analysts, the Amal-Hezbollah victory seemed probably in Berri's home constituency, South II, as opposition forces had failed to produce a strong list to challenge him in his home turf.

In Bekaa II, Amal backed the 'Best Tomorrow' list.

Free Patriotic Movement

The electoral slogan of the party was 'A Strong [FPM] for a Strong Lebanon'. In Mount Lebanon I (Byblos-Kesrwan) FPM fielded the "Strong Lebanon" list led by Chamel Roukoz. In Mount Lebanon II (Metn) FPM fielded the "Strong Metn" list together with the SSNP and Tashnaq.

After the split between the Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces, a joint list for Beirut I of the Free Patriotic Movement, Tashnaq and the Hunchaks was conceived. supported by the Future Movement. In Bekaa I FPM, Future, Tashnaq and independents fielded a joint list. In North II FPM fielded a list in alliance with Kamal Kheir.

Moreover, whilst FPM and the Amal-Hezbollah coalition parted ways nationally, joint lists were presented in Beirut II and in Mount Lebanon III (Baabda).

In Bekaa III (Baalbek-Hermel) FPM had hoped to form a list together with former speaker Hussein el-Husseini, but the project fell apart as el-Husseini withdrew from the electoral process.

In South III the Future Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Democratic Party supported a joint list called "The South is Worth It", with two FPM-supported independents.

Future Movement

At a ceremony in the Seaside Pavilion on 11 March 2018 the candidates and electoral platform of the Future Movement were presented. The party fielded 37 candidates, out of whom 21 were newcomers. The political newcomers included lawyer Roula Tabash Jaroudi in Beirut II and civil society activist Chadi Nacchabe in Tripoli.

The electoral slogan of the party was 'Blue Talisman' (kharzé zar’a). Commenting on the slogan party leader Saad Hariri stated that "[the] Future Movement is a Talisman (blue bead) that you put in the ballot box, to protect the country. For that reason, our slogan is the protection of Lebanon and the symbol is the Talisman. You will draw the Talisman with your activity, with your energy, with your daily small and large contributions to the electoral machine, in your dialogue with people, in working for each candidate on the Future lists."

The Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces negotiated for weeks on forming an electoral alliance, but the effort failed as relations between Future leader Saad Hariri and LF leader Samir Geagea deteriorated on issues relating to Hariri's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Hezbollah

On 19 February 2018, Hezbollah general secretary Hassan Nasrallah presented the names of the 13 Hezbollah candidates. Amongst the candidates there were five new faces.

On 22 March 2018, Nasrallah issued a statement outlining the main priorities for the parliamentary bloc of the party, Loyalty to the Resistance, in the next parliament. He stated that rooting out corruption would be the foremost priority of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc. He described the relation with FPM as 'normal', whilst reaffirming the claim that opponents to the Amal-Hezbollah bloc in Bekaa III had supported 'terrorist groups'.

The electoral slogan of the party was 'We will construct and we will protect'.

Overall, Hezbollah performed the best in the case of popular vote in the election, and had substantial electoral vote gains as well.

Kataeb Party

Kataeb ran the elections based on an attempt to re-brand the party as a reformist political force, and distance it from its right-wing conservative legacy. The electoral slogan of the party was 'A Pulse for Change'. Its electoral platform was a comprehensive list of policies that included 131 points, including a range of long-demanded reforms. The party held the elections based on a discourse inspired by protest movements, and attempted to re-brand itself away. However, it failed to make any gains in the elections, losing two of its parliamentary seats and gaining only three seats, two of whom for party leader and Amine Gemayel's son Samy Gemayel, and Nadim Gemayel, son of late president-elect and Lebanese Forces leader Bashir Gemayel.

Lebanese Forces

The Lebanese Forces announced the names of 19 party candidates and 20 allies on LF-supported lists at an event in Beirut on 14 March 2018 (the anniversary of the founding of the March 14 Movement). At the event LF leader Samir Geagea affirmed commitment to the cause of the 14 March Movement.

The electoral slogan of the party for the election campaign was It has become necessary (sar badda).

Progressive Socialist Party

At the ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of killing of Progressive Socialist Party founder Kamal Jumblatt in Moukhtara on 19 February 2017, Walid Jumblatt symbolically gave his keffiyeh to his son Taymour, symbolically marking the generational shift in the party leadership.

The Democratic Gathering bloc, the parliamentary platform of the Progressive Socialist Party, fielded 9 candidates across the country. The number of candidates of the party was lower than in previous elections, in 2009 the bloc won 11 seats. For the first time since 1992 PSP chief Walid Jumblatt did not stand as a candidate, with Taymour taking over as the party leader. The party fielded candidates for 3 out of 4 Druze seats in Mount Lebanon IV, keeping with the tradition of leaving a seat uncontested to help LDP chief Talal Arslan get elected.

PSP joined joint lists with the Future Movement in Beirut II, Bekaa II and Mount Lebanon IV and with Lebanese Forces in Mount Lebanon III and Mount Lebanon IV.

Arab Democratic Party

In a statement issued on 29 April 2018 the Political Representative of the Arab Democratic Party Rifaat Eid called on his followers to vote for the Alawite candidates Hussein Saloum (on the list of Wajih Barini) in North I and Ahmed Omran in North II (on the list of Faisal Karami).

Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Prior to the election the Arab Socialist Baath Party had suffered a split, with Regional Secretary Assem Qanso and Numan Shalq heading in different directions. Both factions had nominated candidates for the elections, but none was accepted into a list and were thus eliminated from the polls. Reportedly, the Syrian ambassador had lobbied against any list accepting Qanso's candidates, as his group is not recognized from Damascus. A Baathist politician, Kassem Hachem, was included in a list in South III as Amal candidate, but not on behalf of the party. Former Regional Secretary Fayez Shukr headed a list in Bekaa III.

Lebanese Democratic Party

Talal Arslan's LDP gained only one seat in the new parliament, held by Erslan himself, as all other Druze seats were won by candidates from or supported by the Progressive Socialist Party. In Beirut II, LDP had hoped to get Nasib Jawari included as the Druze candidate on the Amal-Hezbollah, but Jawari was not included and LDP withdrew his candidature. Likewise LDP withdrew its candidate from the race in the Bekaa II electoral district.

Independence Movement

The Moawad family's Independence Movement joined the FPM list in Zgharta.

Kulluna Watani Alliance

The civil society alliance behind the "Kulluna Watani" (We are all Patriots) ('Kulluna Watani') lists held a launching event on 9 April 2018 at Forum of Beirut. The alliance gathered with a new Political Party ("Sabaa") and 10 different campaign and groups, most of which are connected to campaigns started in the protest movements of 2015 or the municipal elections of 2016. The alliance included in addition to Sabaa which is a nationwide secular Political Party few local political groups, namely Libaladi in Beirut 1 and Lihaqqi in Mount Lebanon 4. Speaking at inauguration event, Charbel Nahas, whose party Citizens within a State joined the Koullouna Watani lists at a later stage, said the purpose of the lists was to provide an alternative to the "corrupted" power in Lebanese politics. Koullouna Watani's electoral lists included 66 candidates running in 9 voting districts with one third of the candidates being from Sabaa. The nine lists were fielded in Beirut I, Bekaa I, all four electoral districts of Mount Lebanon, North II, North III and South III.

Ramgavar

The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, or Ramgavar, issued a statement on 18 April 2018 condemning any candidate that opposed the unified Armenian parliamentary bloc. In Beirut I, Ramgavar candidates joined the list of Lebanese Forces, Kataeb and Michel Pharaon. One of its candidates is Dr. Avedis Dakassian, the Chair of the Lebanon Regional Committee of the party. In Metn, a Ramgavar candidate joined the list of Lebanese Forces.

Rifi Bloc

Ashraf Rifi, former Hariri ally, Internal Security Forces chief and Justice Minister, broke ranks with Hariri in 2016. He fielded his own lists in the parliamentary election, in a move to challenge Hariri's dominance over Sunni politics. Ahead of the elections he profiled himself as a "hawk", unwilling to enter into talks with Hezbollah.

Rifi fielded lists in three electoral districts; Beirut II, and North II. Likewise, Lebanese Forces and Rifi discussed a joint list in Bekaa III, but no such list materialized.

Syrian Social Nationalist Party

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Tashnag)

In Bekaa I (Zahle) Tashnaq opted to support the candidature of Marie-Jeanne Bilezikjian, pharmacist and women's rights activist, on the joint FPM-Future list. The support for Bilezikjian's candidature was part of a wider agreement between Tashnaq and the Future Movement.

Candidates

Main article: Candidates of the 2018 Lebanese general election

After the deadline on 26 March 2018, the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities announced that 77 lists, with a total of 583 candidates, had been registered. The highest number of lists was in Beirut II, where nine lists were registered. Only two lists were registered in the Zahrani-Tyre electoral district. Notably, the erstwhile 8 March and 14 March blocs, which had dominated the 2009 elections, are no longer functional and parties sought alliances on local dynamics when setting up lists.

A record number of Lebanese women running for office. In fact, out of the total 976 candidates who originally registered to run, 111 were female candidates – a staggering surge compared to just 12 women in 2009.

International voting

During the elections 82,965 people registered to vote, 61.6% were males and 38.4% were females, however 46,799(56.4%) actually voted.

Diaspora results by party

The report found that the countries with the most voters registered in, those in North America, Australia, France, and the United Arab Emirates, mostly supported Lebanese Forces, Marada and FPM lists and candidates. Meanwhile, Amal and Hezbollah received the most votes in Germany and Africa. The report also found large support for the Future Movement in Saudi Arabia.

Results

In a statement issued in the evening of 7 May, Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk promised to release full election result within 36–48 hours. In his statement, he announced "final, yet incomplete" official results, providing the names of elected parliamentarians from 14 out of 15 electoral districts. On 8 May, Machnouk announced the names of the victorious candidates from Akkar.

Following the announcement of results, the FPM leader Gebran Bassil stated that FPM would form the largest bloc in parliament (a role previously played by the Future Movement). Bassil stated that FPM would gather up to 30 MPs, including Talal Arslan, Tashnaqs and "businessmen".

Results by alliance and parties

:Disclaimer: This listing uses a narrow definition of party votes, the preference votes cast for identified party candidates. For an overview of the voting percentages of the lists supported by different parties, see "Results by lists" table below.

Results by lists

Result by candidate

Main article: Candidates of the 2018 Lebanese general election

Reactions

Domestic

Prime Minister Saad Hariri, commenting on the election result the day after the election, admitted that his Future Movement had lost 12 seats, but reaffirmed that "[t]hose who won in parliamentary elections are our partners in the principle of stability" and that he was satisfied with the outcome. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said the outcome was "a great moral and political victory for Hezbollah, which protects the country" and that "proportionality vote law offered all political factions the opportunity to represent themselves in the elections, mitigated the risks of exclusion from Lebanon’s political structure, and assured all sides that they will have a role in the administration." He further added: "The United States and some Persian Gulf states resorted to smear campaign in a bid to poison public opinion towards Hezbollah. Their efforts, however, ended in failure...No one in the world can target Hezbollah as it has firm support among various strata of the Lebanese society. Towns and cities in southern Lebanon have served as the resistance front in the face of threats being poised by the Israeli regime and terrorist groups. Enemies' plots to undermine Hezbollah popularity in those regions have yielded nothing...We must avoid any sectarian or inflammatory speech similar to those delivered before the elections if we want to avoid any conflict in the country."

International

• Iran – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi congratulated the Lebanese government and people. He added: "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the holding of peaceful elections under the current circumstances in the region is regarded as a big achievement in the democratic trend for all Lebanese people."
• Israel – Education Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter: "Hezbollah = Lebanon...[Israel] will not differentiate between the sovereign State of Lebanon and Hezbollah, and will view Lebanon as responsible for any action from within its territory."
• Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates – According to Naharnet, the Emirati ambassador and the Saudi chargé d'affaires in Beirut issued a joint statement congratulating Samir Geagea on his electoral victory, after visiting him in Mearab, Mount Lebanon.

References

References

1. (31 May 2013). "Lebanon's deadlocked parliament postpones June election". Reuters.
2. (5 November 2014). "Lebanese lawmakers delay elections, sparking dismay, anger among voters".
3. (14 June 2017). "Lebanon Cabinet agrees to May elections, refers vote law to Parliament". [[The Daily Star (Lebanon).
4. (22 August 2012). "Lebanese rivals continue battles over Syria". Al Jazeera.
5. [http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2179_B.htm Electoral system] Inter-Parliamentary Union
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7. ''[http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/LB/lebanon-law-no.44-parliamentary-elections-2017/at_download/file Table Attached to Law 44 dated 17/6/2017 (Official Gazette no.27 dated 17 June 2017) – Distribution of Seats to the Confessions and Districts]'' ACE Project
8. ''Gulf News''. ''[http://gulfnews.com/news/mena/lebanon/lebanon-to-hold-parliamentary-elections-in-may-2018-1.2043638 Lebanon to hold parliamentary elections in May 2018]''
9. "REPORT: Elections candidates submit applications one day prior to deadline".
10. Naharnet. ''[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/243078-record-number-of-women-register-to-run-in-parliamentary-elections Record Number of Women Register to Run in Parliamentary Elections]''
11. [https://www.ministryinfo.gov.lb/21558 الدوائر الانتخابية: بالارقام والنسب عدد الناخبين واسماء المرشحين للانتخابات النيابية اللبنانية 2018]. Ministry of Information
12. However, in the 2009 election only five Jews cast their votes in the Beirut III electoral district.Messerlian, Zaven. ''Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009''. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 487
13. [http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-report/1040/15 الانتخابات في 6 أيار وفق 15 دائرة وصوت تفضيلي محصور على مستوى القضاء شمس الدين:القانون الجديد نسبي لكن ملبنن إذ ان الواقع الديمغرافي يترك تأثيره]. National News Agency
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15. kataeb.org. ''[http://www.kataeb.org/local/2018/02/19/berri-announces-amal-movement-s-candidates-platform-for-may-polls Berri Announces Amal Movement's Candidates, Platform for May Polls] {{Webarchive. link. (16 April 2018 '')
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17. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/13-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A3%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87 13 لائحة في البقاع: أم معارك حزب الله]. ''Al-Modon''
18. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/26/%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A9 صور- الزهراني: المعارضة تواجه الثنائي بلائحة موحدة] ''Al-Modon''
19. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/6-%d9%84%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%a6%d8%ad-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%86%d9%88%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d8%a9-%d8%b6%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ad%d8%af%d9%84%d8%a9 6 لوائح معارضة في الجنوب الثانية والثالثة: ضد المحدلة] ''Al-Modon''
20. ''The Arab Weekly''. ''[https://thearabweekly.com/out-old-new-lebanons-elections-promise-changing-guard Out with the old, in with the new: Lebanon’s elections promise changing of the guard]''
21. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/28/4-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9 4 لوائح في بعبدا: معركة مارونية- مارونية]. ''Al-Modon''.
22. In Beirut II a joint list of Amal, Hezbollah, FPM and Al-Ahbash was formed, under the label 'Unity of Beirut'.[http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/28/%D8%B2%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-14-%D9%88%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%83%D8%AB%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9 زحمة لوائح في بيروت: 14 وخروقات كثيرة]. ''Al-Modon''.
23. ''The National''. ''[https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/in-lebanon-s-election-one-man-s-place-in-parliament-is-certain-1.718802 In Lebanon's election, one man's place in parliament is certain]''
24. ''Annahar''. ''[https://en.annahar.com/article/791165-western-airstrikes-unlikely-to-impact-assads-war-machine Elections 2018: Hezbollah, Amal to maintain tight grip in south district] {{Webarchive. link. (17 June 2018 '')
25. The party formed a number of local coalitions with a wide array alliance partners around the country. In North III FPM fielded the "Strong North" list, headed by [[Gebran Bassil]], in alliance with the [[Independence Movement (Lebanon)
26. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/%D9%83%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%82-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%83%D8%B2 كسروان- جبيل: معركة خرق لائحة شامل روكز]. ''Al-Modon''
27. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/5-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B5%D8%AD 5 لوائح في المتن: التيار "يلعبها صح"؟]. ''Al-Modon''
28. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/26/%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86 بيروت الأولى: هل يخرق المجتمع المدني بمقعدين؟]. ''Al-Modon''
29. In North I (Akkar) and South II (Saida-Jezzine) FPM formed electoral alliances with [[Islamic Group (Lebanon)
30. [http://saidacity.net/news/259561/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7-%E2%80%93-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%86..-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B6-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA أربع لوائح في دائرة صيدا – جزين وتحالف بين القوات والكتائب وتجمع 11 اذار] Saida City
31. [https://www.annahar.com/article/780948-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7--%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1 اعلان لوائح في صيدا – جزين وزحلة وعكار] {{Webarchive. link. (27 March 2018 . ''An-Nahar'')
32. [http://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/8-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA 8 لوائح في الشمال الثانية: معركة تشتيت الأصوات]. ''Al-Modon''
33. link. (17 February 2019 '')
34. National News Agency. ''[http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/89050/ Hariri announces Future Movement candidates: Vote for our lists to protect Lebanon's stability, economy, sovereignty and Arabism]''
35. ''L'Orient Le Jour''. ''[https://www.lorientlejour.com/elections/article/1104287/le-futur-annonce-ses-candidats-37-noms-dont-21-nouveaux.html Le Futur annonce ses candidats : 37 noms dont 21 nouveaux] {{Webarchive. link. (2 May 2018 '')
36. 128Lebanon. ''[http://www.128lebanon.com/brief-on-the-lebanese-election-speculations-rise-as-deadline-nears.php Brief on the Lebanese Election: Speculations Rise as Deadline Nears] {{Webarchive. link. (29 April 2018 '')
37. ''Annahar''. ''[https://en.annahar.com/article/778221-lf-and-future-movement-talks-over-electoral-alliance-hit-a-dead-end LF and Future Movement talks over electoral alliance hit a dead end] {{Webarchive. link. (17 June 2018 '')
38. ''Al-Monitor''. ''[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/03/lebanon-elections-new-law-hezbollah-results-constituency-win.html Lebanon's new electoral law could spell trouble for traditional parties]''
39. Al-Manar. ''[https://english.almanar.com.lb/469141 Sayyed Nasrallah Announces Hezbollah Electoral Platform: Combating Corruption Priority]''
40. ''L'Orient Le Jour''. ''[https://www.lorientlejour.com/elections/article/1104962/les-slogans-electoraux-de-2018-un-gros-flop-.html Les slogans électoraux de 2018 : un gros flop ?] {{Webarchive. link. (16 March 2018 '')
41. ''Daily Star''. ''[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2018/Mar-14/441535-lf-announce-19-candidates-20-allies-on-their-lists.ashx LF announce 19 candidates, 20 allies on their lists]''
42. Reuters. ''[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-politics-jumblatt-idUSKBN16Q0NA Lebanon's Jumblatt affirms son as political heir]''
43. ''Daily Star''. ''[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2018/Feb-19/438471-jumblatt-to-step-down-as-psp-announces-candidates.ashx Jumblatt to step down as PSP announces candidates] {{Webarchive. link. (8 November 2021 '')
44. ''Daily Star''. ''[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-Elections/2018/Apr-25/446658-what-to-watch-for-in-every-electoral-region-in-lebanon.ashx What to watch for in every electoral region in Lebanon] {{Webarchive. link. (8 November 2021 '')
45. [http://safiralchamal.com/2018/04/29/رفعت-عيد-يهدد-بقلب-المعادلة/ رفعت عيد يهدد بقلب المعادلة]. Safir al-Chamal
46. link. (15 April 2018 . Al Kalima.)
47. Naharnet. ''[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/244097 Lebanese Democratic Party Withdraws Candidate from Electoral Race]''
48. Odiaspora. ''[http://odiaspora.org/2018/03/17/moawad-allies-with-the-free-patriotic-movement-in-north-iii/ Moawad allies with the Free Patriotic Movement in North III.] {{Webarchive. link. (16 April 2018 '')
49. ''L'Orient Le Jour''. ''[https://www.lorientlejour.com/elections/article/1109395/lancement-officiel-des-neuf-listes-de-koullouna-watani-.html/2 Lancement officiel des neuf listes de « Koullouna Watani »] {{Webarchive. link. (29 April 2018 '')
50. [https://www.addiyar.com/article/1519195-نداء-من-حزب-الرامغفار-مع-اقتراب-موعد-الانتخابات-النيابية نداء من حزب الرامغفار مع اقتراب موعد الانتخابات النيابية]. ''Addiyar''
51. ''Daily Star''. [https://www.pressreader.com/lebanon/the-daily-star-lebanon/20180326/281573766240560 "Weekend electoral list announcements"]
52. ''Hayern Aysor''. [http://hayernaysor.am/en/archives/230788 "Lebanese-Armenian figures congratulate the Armenian Army on its 25th anniversary (video)"]
53. LBCI. [https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/news-bulletin-reports/367659/report-who-are-lf-candidates-for-upcoming-election/en "REPORT: Who are LF candidates for upcoming elections?"]
54. ''L'Orient Le Jour''. [https://www.lorientlejour.com/elections/article/1107688/le-metn-champ-de-bataille-entre-loyalistes-et-opposants.html/17 "Le Metn, champ de bataille entre loyalistes et opposants"] {{Webarchive. link. (17 February 2019)
55. In the 2016 Tripoli municipal election, he defeated Hariri's candidates and won 22 out of 24 seats.Gulf News. ''[https://gulfnews.com/news/mena/lebanon/rifi-emerges-as-new-sunni-leader-in-lebanon-1.1837309 Rifi emerges as new Sunni leader in Lebanon]''
56. ''The Region''. ''[http://theregion.org/article/12497-tensions-rise-as-hariri-and-rifi-compete-for-the-lebanese-sunni-vote Tensions rise as Hariri and Rifi compete for the Lebanese sunni-vote] {{Webarchive. link. (30 April 2018 '')
57. link. (28 March 2018 ''An=Nahar'')
58. Rifi tried to field a list in Bekaa I together with Kataeb and Lebanese Forces, but the initiative did not bear fruit.[https://al-akhbar.com/Politics/246768 زحلة دائرة المفاجآت... والأرمني عقدة]. ''Al-Akhbar''
59. [https://www.almarkazia.com/ar/news/show/10990/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%8A-7-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8 "القومي" يعلن عن مرشحيه في 7 دوائر معاهداً العمل للبنان المواطنة والعدالة]. Al Markazia
60. [http://www.lebanondebate.com/news/375495 جناح الانتفاضة بـ"القومي": لن نجير أصواتنا للسلطة ]. Lebanon Debate
61. LBCi. ''[https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/news-bulletin-reports/369202/report-tashnag-declares-candidates-in-metn-and-bei/en REPORT: Tashnag declares candidates in Metn and Beirut]''
62. ''Horizon Weekly''. ''[https://horizonweekly.ca/en/arf-lebanon-central-committee-anounces-4-parliamentary-candidates/ ARF Lebanon Central Committee announces Parliamentary Candidates]''
63. IMLebanon. ''[https://www.imlebanon.org/newspaper/zahle-une-bataille-charniere-qui-gagne-tous-les-jours-en-fievre/ Zahlé, une bataille charnière qui gagne tous les jours en fièvre]''
64. [https://al-akhbar.com/Politics/247092 77 لائحة تُقصي 334 مرشحاً: لبنان إلى الانتخابات] ''Al-Akhbar''
65. [https://www.annahar.com/article/782632-77-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-917-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B0%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A9 77 لائحة انتخابية من بين 917 مرشحا... وهذه الالوان المعتمدة] {{Webarchive. link. (27 March 2018 ''Annahar'')
66. Ya Libnan. ''[http://yalibnan.com/2017/12/31/2-blocs-begin-to-emerge-ahead-of-lebanese-parliamentary-elections/ 2 Blocs Begin to Emerge ahead of Lebanese Parliamentary Elections]''
67. "Record number of Lebanese women running for office".
68. Percentage given per electoral district level, not minor district level.
69. (2022-05-02). "The Lebanese diaspora and the upcoming elections: What lessons from the 2018 voting?". Arab Reform Initiative.
70. ''L'Orient Le Jour''. ''[https://www.lorientlejour.com/elections/article/1114286/machnouk-promet-les-resultats-complets-dans-les-36-a-48-heures-.html Machnouk promet les résultats complets des législatives « dans les 36 à 48 heures »] {{Webarchive. link. (9 May 2018 '')
71. Naharnet. ''[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/245906 Mashnouq Announces 'Final Yet Incomplete' Election Results]''
72. [https://al-akhbar.com/Politics/249565/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%B9%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1 النتائج الرسمية (باستثناء عكار)]. ''Al-Akhbar''
73. [https://www.annahar.com/article/800971-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-14-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D8%A9 بالأسماء... نتائج الانتخابات النيابية الرسمية والنهائية في 14 دائرة] {{Webarchive. link. (9 May 2018 . ''Annahar'')
74. [http://almustaqbal.com/article/2043739/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%86%D9%88%D9%82-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AC-%D8%B9%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9 بالأسماء.. المشنوق يعلن نتائج عكار الانتخابية] {{Webarchive. link. (14 May 2018 . ''Al-Mustaqbal'')
75. Naharnet. ''[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/245920-bassil-says-fpm-to-have-biggest-bloc-in-parliament Bassil Says FPM to Have Biggest Bloc in Parliament]''
76. ''Annahar''. ''[https://en.annahar.com/article/801537-breakdown-of-lebanons-upcoming-parliament Breakdown of Lebanon's upcoming Parliament] {{Webarchive. link. (9 May 2018 '')
77. [http://www.interior.gov.lb/AdsDetails.aspx?ida=281 نتائج الإنتخابات النيابية العامة 2018]. Ministry of Interior and Municipalities
78. Naharnet. ''[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/245896-hariri-says-mustaqbal-defeated-elimination-bid-hits-back-at-israeli-minister Hariri Says Mustaqbal Defeated 'Elimination' Bid, Hits Back at Israeli Minister]''
79. Naharnet. "[http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/245985-shamsi-bukhari-congratulate-geagea-on-win-in-elections Shamsi, Bukhari Congratulate Geagea on 'Win' in Elections]"