From raised hands to the push of a button… “Strong Lebanon” proposes changing the rules of parliamentary voting

The “Strong Lebanon” bloc has submitted two draft laws to Parliament aimed at establishing the constitutional and regulatory framework for adopting electronic voting in parliamentary sessions, in a move it described as an institutional reform that would enhance transparency and parliamentary accountability.

The first proposal includes amending Article 36 of the Lebanese Constitution to allow the use of electronic voting inside Parliament, while the second calls for amending a number of provisions in Parliament’s internal regulations to organize the electronic voting mechanism and define its rules and implementation procedures in line with the Constitution and parliamentary practice.

In its request addressed to the Speaker of Parliament to refer the two proposals to the relevant parliamentary committees, the bloc explained that the two bills form an integrated legislative framework: the constitutional amendment provides the legal basis for adopting electronic voting, while the amendment to the internal regulations sets out the executive mechanisms necessary for its implementation.

In the explanatory memorandum, the bloc noted that the principle of public parliamentary sessions requires enabling public opinion to clearly see how each MP votes, given that the deputy represents the nation and is subject to political accountability before citizens.

It pointed out that traditional voting methods—whether by roll call, show of hands, or standing and sitting—may at times lead to ambiguity or disputes over voting results or the positions of some MPs, which negatively affects the level of transparency.

The two proposals also cited the adoption by many modern parliaments around the world of electronic voting systems because of the accuracy, speed, and clarity they provide in counting votes. The bloc stressed that this mechanism meets the demands of a broad segment of Lebanese seeking greater transparency in legislative work, without undermining the principle of secret balloting in cases mandated by the Constitution or constitutional provisions related to granting or withholding confidence and other special cases.

The “Strong Lebanon” bloc affirmed that adopting electronic voting would constitute a reform step capable of entrenching the principles of transparency and accountability, while strengthening citizens’ right to know the positions of their representatives inside Parliament.