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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1948 - LEADERSHIP President Nabih Berry (M)  Notes Re-elected on 25 June 2009 and on 23 May 2018. Secretary General Adnan Daher (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 128 / 128 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 6 (4.69%) Mode of designation directly elected 128 Notes Seats are equally divided between Christian and Muslim members. Term 4 years Notes The term of the legislature, elected in June 2009, was originally four years starting from 20 June and was due to expire on 20 June 2013. Due mainly to the stalemate over the new electoral law, on 31 May 2013, the National Assembly extended its mandate by a period of 17 months starting from 21 June 2013. The extended term was due to expire on 20 November 2014. On 5 November 2014, the National Assembly extended its term by 31 months. The extended term was due to expire on 20 June 2017. However, on 14 June 2017, the Cabinet approved a new electoral law, which provided for next parliamentary elections to be held between 20 March and 19 May 2018. The term of the outgoing legislature has been extended until 21 May 2018. Last renewal dates 6 May 2018 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Assemblée nationale Place de l'Etoile BEYROUTH (Export mailing lists) Phone (961 1) 982 047 982 057 982 140 Fax (961 1) 982 059 981 484 E-mail lp@lp.gov.lb info@lp.gov.lb antoineel-hajj@hotmail.com Website http://www.lp.gov.lb http://www.parliament.gov.lb/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 11 July 1996 Last updated : 08.10.2008 Mode of designation directly elected 128 Constituencies 26 multi-member constituencies Voting system Majority: Majority system in one round using the block vote (each voter may cast as many votes as the number of MPs elected from each constituency). Voters may either write the names of candidates on a blank piece of paper provided at the polling station or bring with them a prepared ballot, which already contains the names of the candidates, having taken into account the pre-established distribution of seats among the religious communities. The candidate(s) who win(s) the highest number of votes for each religious community is/are declared elected. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections within 60 days, unless the vacancy occurs within six months of the end of the term of parliament. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - Age: 21 years or over as at 30 March of the election year - Lebanese citizenship by birth Naturalized citizens are entitled to vote ten years after the naturalization decree is issued. This clause does not apply to foreign women who acquire Lebanese citizenship by marrying a Lebanese citizen. - There is no residence requirement. Disqualifications: - Persons deprived of civil rights or of the right to hold a certain rank or public office - Persons convicted for a felony or major offences - Bankrupt persons - Persons placed in mental institutions - Members or employees of the armed forces or the police CANDIDATES Eligibility - Qualified voters - Age: 25 years or over - Lebanese citizenship or naturalized citizens - Registration in the voters' list - Full possession of civil rights - Ability to read and write Disqualifications: - Members or employees of the armed forces or the police unless they retire or relinquish the post six months prior to the election date - Judges - Civil servants (except for teaching staff of the Lebanese University) - Executives of a public corporation - Presidents and vice-presidents of municipal councils (Muhafazats) Incompatibilities - members or employees of the armed forces or the police - certain civil servants and other public officials Candidacy requirements - Candidatures must be submitted at least 60 days before the election date. - Candidate deposit of two million Lebanese pounds as well as a guarantee of six million Lebanese pounds, which is reimbursed if the candidate obtains at least 20 per cent of the valid votes cast in the constituency.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 6 May 2018 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the National Assembly. Text is being prepared. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 6 May 2018 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 3'746'483 1'862'103 (49.7%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Strong Lebanon Lebanon First Development and Liberation Strong Republic Loyalty to the Resistance Democratic Gathering National Coalition Others Independent Centre Bloc Kataeb Social Nationalist Bloc Civil Society Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Strong Lebanon 29 Lebanon First 20 Development and Liberation 17 Strong Republic 15 Loyalty to the Resistance 14 Democratic Gathering 9 National Coalition 7 Others 6 Independent Centre Bloc 4 Kataeb 3 Social Nationalist Bloc 3 Civil Society 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 122 6 4.69% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: National Assembly (10.05.2018, 27.08.2018) http://www.interior.gov.lb/AdsDetails.aspx?ida=281 Note on the distribution of seats: - Strong Lebanon comprises Free Patriotic Movement (18 seats), Lebanese Democratic Party (1), Tashnag (3) and independents (7); - Lebanon First comprises Future Movement (16) and independents (4); - Development and Liberation comprises Amal Movement (14), Baath Party (1) and independents (2); - Loyalty to the Resistance comprises Hezbollah (12) and independents (2); - Strong Republic comprises 15 members of Lebanese Forces; - Democratic Gathering comprises 9 members of Progressive Socialist Party; - Independent Centre Bloc comprises Azm Movement (3) and independent (1); - Kataeb comprises 3 members of Kataeb Party; - National Coalition comprises Arab Liberation Party (1), El-Marada (3) and independents (3); - Social nationalist Bloc comprises 3 members of Syrian Social Nationalist Party; - Others comprise one member each from Al-Ahbash, National Dialogue Party, Popular Nasserite Organization, Union Party and 2 independent members.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the National Assembly Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly, vote of no confidence in the President Appointment - elected by all Members of the Assembly - election held within 15 days of the validation of the MP who is a candidate Eligibility - any MP from the Shiite Moslem community Voting system - vote by secret ballot - absolute majority required in the 1st and 2nd rounds, proportional majority in the 3rd round. In case of a tie, the oldest candidate is appointed President Procedures / results - the oldest Member presides over the Assembly during the voting - the two secretaries who are members of the Assembly's Board supervise the voting - the Assembly's Board announces the results without delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of State - represents the Assembly with the public authorities - represents the Assembly in bodies outside Parliament - represents the Assembly in international bodies - is ex officio Chairman of committees and other organs - in the absence of the President, the Vice-President or the oldest member can assume his/her role and functions Board - is elected under and regulated by Article 8 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly - consists of a President, a Vice-President, 2 secretaries and 3 commissioners (all MPs) - meets at the initiative of the President - constitutes a true collegial presidency Material facilities - allowance + expense allowance - official residence - official car - secretariat - domestic personnel - bodyguards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, together with the Board of the Assembly - establishes and modifies the agenda, also with the Board - organizes the debates and sets speaking time, also with the Board - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up, together with the Board - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities, together with the two secretaries of the Board - signs the texts adopted and the records of debates - has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates Special powers - appoints the Clerk, together with the Board - organizes the services of Parliament, also with the Board The Board of the Assembly: - is responsible for establishing the budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates, by leaving his seat (in which case the Vice-President presides over the Assembly) - provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion - takes part in voting - proposes bills or amendments in his capacity as MP - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure - must be consultated in connection with the appointment of the Head of Government

This page was last updated on 11 September 2018
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