President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received former Head of the European Union’s delegation which monitored the 2018 parliamentary elections, Mrs. Elena Valenciano, today at the Presidential Palace.

The President told Valenciano that “Parliamentary elections will take place on time, in spring 2022, and Lebanon welcomes the presence of European observers to follow-up, as happened in 2018”.

President Aoun also asserted that the state will take appropriate measures so that elections take place in an appropriate democratic and secure atmosphere, while emphasizing transparency to secure the widest popular participation in elections.

In addition, the President pointed out that “Efforts will be focused this time not to exploit the difficult economic and living conditions which citizens suffer from, to affect the voter’s freedom and choices. This requires strengthening supervision of the financing of electoral campaigns as well as strengthening the powers of the Supervisory Board of Elections in oversight and punishment”.

Moreover, President Aoun praised the report which was presented by the committee headed by Mrs. Valenciano on the 2018 elections, which stated that the elections took place in a good manner, with recommendations for the need to adopt reforms and emphasize the importance of the participation of Lebanese expatriates in the proposal process.

Then, the President stressed his support for reforms which would improve the level of Lebanese democratic representation, and enhance the presence of women in elections, and pointed out that the proportional system adopted during 2018 elections ensured better representation for all Lebanese groups and parties.

Finally, the President hoped that Corona pandemic will recede by next 2022 parliamentary elections, “Otherwise social distancing procedures will be adopted to ensure appropriate health conditions”.

For her part, Mrs. Valenciano had expressed her thanks to President Aoun for the cooperation with the 2018 mission which she had headed, which enabled her to carry out the tasks she came for. Valenciano also indicated that the EU is ready to repeat the experience of monitoring next year’s parliamentary elections. — Presidency Press Office

Source: National News Agency