In preparation for the 2018 parliamentary elections, the United Nations Development Programme – Lebanese Elections Assistance Project, funded by the European Union, developed a brochure “Women’s Guide to the Parliamentary Elections 2018” in Arabic and English. The guide includes a simplified reading of the Electoral Law 44/2017 and gives emphasis to information related to the voting system, voter’s and candidate’s eligibility, the documents needed to run for elections, lists registration, ballot papers and preferential vote.
In the same context, UNDP LEAP produced four animation videos addressing women and providing them with all the necessary information related to voting and running for elections. These videos come as part of a broader voter education and information campaign, that complements the Ministry of Interior & Municipalities awareness initiatives, and aim to enhance the meaningful participation of women – as voters & candidates – in the upcoming elections.
The videos were circulated to TV channels and local news websites to be broadcasted and they were uploaded on UNDP’s and LEAP’s social media platforms in order to reach a wider audience.
1) Introduction to the new electoral law 44/2017
The video includes information and details about the new articles in the Electoral Law 44/2017.
The video contains information about who is entitled to vote and what are the official documents required for voting.
3) How to Run?
The video includes information on how to run for candidacy as individuals and lists and what documents should be obtained.
The video contains information about the preprinted ballot papers, how to mark them and identify valid from invalid ballots.
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The EU-funded UNDP Lebanese Elections Assistance Project (LEAP) started its activities in October 2012 with the main objective to strengthen the institutional capacity of the national institutions and stakeholders in terms of electoral management and administration, for the conduct of credible, periodical, transparent and inclusive elections in Lebanon.
To achieve these objectives, UNDP LEAP works closely with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM), responsible for electoral management, administration and overall electoral operations. The project also supports other electoral stakeholders, such as the Constitutional Council, State Council, Supervisory Commission for the Election (SCE), judicial bodies and works in close cooperation with civil society organizations (CSOs). Within this context, UNDP LEAP provides electoral technical assistance and advisory support focused on: 1) management & administration of elections; 2) supervisory commission for elections; 3) voter education; 4) electoral dispute resolution; and 5) women’s participation in elections.