Lebanon

Article 73: The obligations of public media

outlets

1.A candidate or candidate list may use the

public media outlets free of charge to present

their electoral platform in accordance with the

provisions of this law and the rules established

by the Commission.

2.Each candidate or candidate list wishing

to use this right shall submit a request to the

Commission in writing. The Commission shall

draw up a list of the names of candidates and

candidate lists authorized to use public media

outlets.

3.The Commission shall prepare a schedule

specifying the dates and conditions for the

distribution of broadcasting times between the

various lists and candidates, while maintaining

balanced broadcasting times, to ensure fair

and equal opportunities for all candidates and

candidate lists.

4.Public media outlets shall commit to

remaining neutral at all stages of the electoral

process. Neither they nor any of their agents

or employees shall carry out any activity that

may be construed as supporting a candidate

or candidate list at the expense of another

candidate or candidate list.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 73: The obligations of public media

outlets

1.A candidate or candidate list may use the

public media outlets free of charge to present

their electoral platform in accordance with the

provisions of this law and the rules established

by the Commission.

2.Each candidate or candidate list wishing

to use this right shall submit a request to the

Commission in writing. The Commission shall

draw up a list of the names of candidates and

candidate lists authorized to use public media

outlets.

3.The Commission shall prepare a schedule

specifying the dates and conditions for the

distribution of broadcasting times between the

various lists and candidates, while maintaining

balanced broadcasting times, to ensure fair

and equal opportunities for all candidates and

candidate lists.

4.Public media outlets shall commit to

remaining neutral at all stages of the electoral

process. Neither they nor any of their agents

or employees shall carry out any activity that

may be construed as supporting a candidate

or candidate list at the expense of another

candidate or candidate list.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 73: The obligations of public media

outlets

1.A candidate or candidate list may use the

public media outlets free of charge to present

their electoral platform in accordance with the

provisions of this law and the rules established

by the Commission.

2.Each candidate or candidate list wishing

to use this right shall submit a request to the

Commission in writing. The Commission shall

draw up a list of the names of candidates and

candidate lists authorized to use public media

outlets.

3.The Commission shall prepare a schedule

specifying the dates and conditions for the

distribution of broadcasting times between the

various lists and candidates, while maintaining

balanced broadcasting times, to ensure fair

and equal opportunities for all candidates and

candidate lists.

4.Public media outlets shall commit to

remaining neutral at all stages of the electoral

process. Neither they nor any of their agents

or employees shall carry out any activity that

may be construed as supporting a candidate

or candidate list at the expense of another

candidate or candidate list.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 62: Prohibited activities

"1.During the electoral campaign period,

commitments and disbursements that involve

the provision of services or payments to voters

shall be prohibited, including but not limited

to: gifts and cash and in-kind donations to

individuals, charities and social, cultural, family

or religious organizations, sports clubs and all

public institutions. ..."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

"Paragraph (5) of Article 60 provides that the “campaign finance contribution made by a single natural or legal Lebanese person” to a candidate or list may not exceed 50 percent of their campaign spending limit and must be made through a bank transaction.60 A candidate may not receive a greater sum in contributions than his or her election spending limit, and contributions may not be made through an intermediary (para.[6]). "

Article 58: Campaign spending

In the present law, the term “campaign

spending” shall indicate all expenses paid by

the list or candidate and all expenses paid for

the account or benefit of either one of them,

with their express or tacit consent, by natural or

legal persons, political parties, associations or

any other bodies, provided that such expenses

directly serve the electoral campaign, voting

process or legitimate communication between

the candidate list or candidate and the voter,

including:

Securing the rent and other expenses of

campaign offices; organizing campaignrelated

rallies, events, public meetings and

banquets; expenses related to equipment used

in the campaign; preparing, publishing and

disseminating media and advertising material

through books, brochures, bulletins, leaflets,

printed letters, or through post and electronic

mail; preparing, disseminating and posting

pictures, stickers, posters and billboards;

paying compensation or allowances in cash or

in kind to the campaign staff and candidate

agents; campaign staff and voter transport and

relocation expenses; travel expenses of nonresident

voters; expenses related to electoral

advertising and opinion polls; any other

expenses paid for the purposes of the campaign

to any radio or television broadcasting station,

newspaper, magazine or any other means of

publication, including electronic means.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 58: Campaign spending

In the present law, the term “campaign

spending” shall indicate all expenses paid by

the list or candidate and all expenses paid for

the account or benefit of either one of them,

with their express or tacit consent, by natural or

legal persons, political parties, associations or

any other bodies, provided that such expenses

directly serve the electoral campaign, voting

process or legitimate communication between

the candidate list or candidate and the voter,

including:

Securing the rent and other expenses of

campaign offices; organizing campaignrelated

rallies, events, public meetings and

banquets; expenses related to equipment used

in the campaign; preparing, publishing and

disseminating media and advertising material

through books, brochures, bulletins, leaflets,

printed letters, or through post and electronic

mail; preparing, disseminating and posting

pictures, stickers, posters and billboards;

paying compensation or allowances in cash or

in kind to the campaign staff and candidate

agents; campaign staff and voter transport and

relocation expenses; travel expenses of nonresident

voters; expenses related to electoral

advertising and opinion polls; any other

expenses paid for the purposes of the campaign

to any radio or television broadcasting station,

newspaper, magazine or any other means of

publication, including electronic means.

"Article 61 states the formulae for calculating the spending limits of candidates and lists:  
• A candidate’s limit is the fixed sum of 150 million Lebanese Pounds plus 5,000 Lebanese Pounds for each voter registered in the voters lists in the major constituency; • The spending limit for a list is a fixed sum of 150 million Lebanese Pounds.61  
However, Article 61 also provides that these spending limits may be “reconsidered at the opening of the campaign period in the light of economic conditions” by a decree issued by the Council of Ministers at the suggestion of the minister and following consultations with the SCE"

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 61: Campaign spending limit

The maximum amount that each candidate

may spend during the campaign period shall be

determined according to the following:

The limit amount is composed of a fixed lump

sum of one hundred and fifty million Lebanese

pounds and a variable sum determined by the

number of voters in the major constituency in

which the candidate may be elected, on the

basis of five thousand Lebanese pounds per

voter registered in the voter lists in the major

constituency.

The campaign spending limit of a candidate list

is a fixed lump sum of one hundred fifty million

Lebanese pounds per candidate.

This spending limit may be reconsidered at

the opening of the campaign period in light

of the economic conditions, by virtue of a

decree adopted by the Council of Ministers at

the suggestion of the Minister of Interior and

Municipalities and following consultations with

the Commission.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 61: Campaign spending limit

The maximum amount that each candidate

may spend during the campaign period shall be

determined according to the following:

The limit amount is composed of a fixed lump

sum of one hundred and fifty million Lebanese

pounds and a variable sum determined by the

number of voters in the major constituency in

which the candidate may be elected, on the

basis of five thousand Lebanese pounds per

voter registered in the voter lists in the major

constituency.

The campaign spending limit of a candidate list

is a fixed lump sum of one hundred fifty million

Lebanese pounds per candidate.

This spending limit may be reconsidered at

the opening of the campaign period in light

of the economic conditions, by virtue of a

decree adopted by the Council of Ministers at

the suggestion of the Minister of Interior and

Municipalities and following consultations with

the Commission.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

"Article 58: Campaign spending

In the present law, the term “campaign

spending” shall indicate all expenses paid by

the list or candidate and all expenses paid for

the account or benefit of either one of them,

with their express or tacit consent, by natural or

legal persons, political parties, associations or

any other bodies, provided that such expenses

directly serve the electoral campaign, voting

process or legitimate communication between

the candidate list or candidate and the voter,

including:..."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 58: Campaign spending

In the present law, the term “campaign

spending” shall indicate all expenses paid by

the list or candidate and all expenses paid for

the account or benefit of either one of them,

with their express or tacit consent, by natural or

legal persons, political parties, associations or

any other bodies, provided that such expenses

directly serve the electoral campaign, voting

process or legitimate communication between

the candidate list or candidate and the voter,

including:

Securing the rent and other expenses of

campaign offices; organizing campaignrelated

rallies, events, public meetings and

banquets; expenses related to equipment used

in the campaign; preparing, publishing and

disseminating media and advertising material

through books, brochures, bulletins, leaflets,

printed letters, or through post and electronic

mail; preparing, disseminating and posting

pictures, stickers, posters and billboards;

paying compensation or allowances in cash or

in kind to the campaign staff and candidate

agents; campaign staff and voter transport and

relocation expenses; travel expenses of nonresident

voters; expenses related to electoral

advertising and opinion polls; any other

expenses paid for the purposes of the campaign

to any radio or television broadcasting station,

newspaper, magazine or any other means of

publication, including electronic means.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 58: Campaign spending

In the present law, the term “campaign

spending” shall indicate all expenses paid by

the list or candidate and all expenses paid for

the account or benefit of either one of them,

with their express or tacit consent, by natural or

legal persons, political parties, associations or

any other bodies, provided that such expenses

directly serve the electoral campaign, voting

process or legitimate communication between

the candidate list or candidate and the voter,

including:

Securing the rent and other expenses of

campaign offices; organizing campaignrelated

rallies, events, public meetings and

banquets; expenses related to equipment used

in the campaign; preparing, publishing and

disseminating media and advertising material

through books, brochures, bulletins, leaflets,

printed letters, or through post and electronic

mail; preparing, disseminating and posting

pictures, stickers, posters and billboards;

paying compensation or allowances in cash or

in kind to the campaign staff and candidate

agents; campaign staff and voter transport and

relocation expenses; travel expenses of nonresident

voters; expenses related to electoral

advertising and opinion polls; any other

expenses paid for the purposes of the campaign

to any radio or television broadcasting station,

newspaper, magazine or any other means of

publication, including electronic means.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 66

"2.Candidates who exceed the electoral spending

limit shall be liable to a fine equivalent to three

times the amount in excess of the limit, to be

paid to the Treasury. And the Commission shall

refer the case to the Constitutional Council."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64:The overall balance sheet

1.After the elections, each candidate and

candidate list shall prepare an overall balance

sheet authenticated by the authorized auditor

and showing, in detail, the total of proceeds and

contributions in kind, according to their sources

and dates, and the total of expenses paid or

due, according to their nature and dates, since

the beginning of the electoral campaign.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

1.After the elections, each candidate and

candidate list shall prepare an overall balance

sheet authenticated by the authorized auditor

and showing, in detail, the total of proceeds and

contributions in kind, according to their sources

and dates, and the total of expenses paid or

due, according to their nature and dates, since

the beginning of the electoral campaign.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

"1.After the elections, each candidate and

candidate list shall prepare an overall balance

sheet authenticated by the authorized auditor

and showing, in detail, the total of proceeds and

contributions in kind, according to their sources

and dates, and the total of expenses paid or

due, according to their nature and dates, since

the beginning of the electoral campaign."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

1.After the elections, each candidate and

candidate list shall prepare an overall balance

sheet authenticated by the authorized auditor

and showing, in detail, the total of proceeds and

contributions in kind, according to their sources

and dates, and the total of expenses paid or

due, according to their nature and dates, since

the beginning of the electoral campaign.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

1.After the elections, each candidate and

candidate list shall prepare an overall balance

sheet authenticated by the authorized auditor

and showing, in detail, the total of proceeds and

contributions in kind, according to their sources

and dates, and the total of expenses paid or

due, according to their nature and dates, since

the beginning of the electoral campaign.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

2.The overall balance sheet shall be submitted

to the Commission within thirty days from

the date of publication of the official election

results, together with the documents

supporting all account items including receipts,

disbursement orders, etc., and a comprehensive

bank statement of the electoral campaign bank

account showing all transactions executed on

this account from the date of its opening until

the date of submission of the balance sheet.

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet
"...4.If the balance sheet does not include any

campaign-related proceeds or expenses, the

authorized auditor shall write a report on the

subject.

5.The Commission shall examine and audit

the balance sheet of each candidate and carry

out the necessary investigations to verify its

accuracy or the accuracy of some of its elements,

and may, for this purpose, recruit experts and

judicial police officers, upon the approval of the

competent Public Prosecutor’s Office.

6.The Commission shall decide on the validity

of the abovementioned balance sheet within

thirty days from the date of submission thereof.

It shall decide whether to approve it or, after

due consideration of the adversarial system

and the right to counsel, reject it or request its

adjustment or correction in whole or in part. The

Commission shall submit its reasoned decision

in writing, together with the balance sheet, to

the Constitutional Council.

If after one month from the date of submission

of the balance sheet the Commission has not

issued its decision thereon, the balance sheet

shall be deemed to have been approved.

7.The Commission may reject balance sheets that

are found inaccurate or exceeding the spending

limit even after correction or adjustment

thereof. The Commission shall inform the

Speaker of Parliament and the President of the

Constitutional Council of such cases.

8.If the Commission finds that the value of

one of the electoral expenses declared in the

balance sheet and its annexes is less than the

common and usually approved value for a

similar expense, the Commission shall, after

due consideration of the adversarial system and

the right to counsel, estimate the difference by

comparing prices from different sources and

noting such difference with the expenses. The

difference shall thus be subject to the spending

limit provided for in this Law. ..."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 64: The overall balance sheet

"... 5.The Commission shall examine and audit

the balance sheet of each candidate and carry

out the necessary investigations to verify its

accuracy or the accuracy of some of its elements,

and may, for this purpose, recruit experts and

judicial police officers, upon the approval of the

competent Public Prosecutor’s Office. ..."

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017

Article 65: Complaints and criminal prosecution

1.The Commission shall refer the cases of

violation of the provisions of this Chapter to

the competent Public Prosecution Office where

it finds that such violation may be described as

criminal offense.

2.Any person who intentionally commits a

violation shall in accordance with the provisions

of the first paragraph be liable to a term of

imprisonment not exceeding six months and/

or a fine of 50 to 100 million Lebanese pounds,

without prejudice to the penalties of criminal

offenses stipulated in the Penal Code and special

penal laws.

3.The disbursement of prohibited electoral

expenses mentioned in Article 61 of the present

Law shall be considered as bribery under the

Penal Code.

4.The penalties provided for in paragraph (2)

above shall apply to legal persons in accordance

with Article 210 of the Penal Code.

5.Criminal and civil actions relating to offenses

set out in paragraph (2) above shall be dismissed

on grounds of prescription after six months from

the date of publication of the election results.

6.The Constitutional Council’s decisions on

electoral appeals shall have the force of res

judicata that is binding on all judicial and

administrative courts and state departments.

The claim and criminal prosecution shall

be processed based on the decision of the

Constitutional Council.

Article 66: The penalties applicable to balance

sheet violations

1.Candidates who failed to submit the

comprehensive balance sheet provided for in

Article 64 of this Law shall be liable to a fine of

one million Lebanese pounds per day of delay.

The said fine shall be imposed by the Ministry at

the request of the Commission.

2.Candidates who exceed the electoral spending

limit shall be liable to a fine equivalent to three

times the amount in excess of the limit, to be

paid to the Treasury. And the Commission shall

refer the case to the Constitutional Council.

Article 67: The fine

Non-winning candidates who failed to submit

the balance sheet shall be liable to a fine of one

million Lebanese pounds per day of delay to be

imposed by the Ministry pursuant to a report

issued by the Commission.

Non-winning candidates who have exceeded

the electoral spending limit shall be liable to a

fine equivalent to three times the amount in

excess of the limit. "

Law no.44 Parliamentary Elections 2017