Civil servants who run for the National Assembly or other public office should have the right to return to the civil service should they not be elected.

Political parties should develop their internal capacity and structures to stimulate the establishment of their political platforms.

The national capacity of political parties needs to be strengthened including the introduction of pro-active measures for ensuring inclusive political party structures. The draft bill on the funding of political parties, based on the principle of proportionality, should be promulgated by parliament. Registration of political parties should be removed from the mandate of the Electoral Commission and transferred to a suitable body.

Provisions in the law regarding public funding to candidates and political parties should be effectively implemented prior to the commencement of the campaign period. Small parties and a much needed new generation of politicians would have the chance to contest elections on a more levelled playing field. Public funding of parties and candidates is a fundamental tool to strengthen competitive democracy and allow a pluralistic participation.

Introduce efficient mechanisms regarding political party requirements verification. The law stipulates that parties are required, as part of their internal organization, to have the approval of their members, or of a representative assembly, of the party’s statutes and programmes. Party’s presidents are elected by the membership and statutes are nondiscriminatory. Party identification, symbol and flag are unique and not phonetically or graphically similar to state entities or symbols. Contesting political parties inform the Supreme Court of Justice, 90 days prior to legislative elections, on their number of members. Dissolution of parties, due to lack of a minimum of 1,000 members, is mandatory by law although not verified. In order to avoid the proliferation of political parties, the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) should have a stronger mandate and means to verify the compliance of legal requirements by the political parties. A STJ-designated task force could be formed in cooperation with the School of Law to analyse party requirements within the given timeframe of 90 days prior to polls, leaving the final decision to the Supreme Court plenary.

Legal provisions pertaining to the requirement that political parties guarantee internal party democracy and ensure inclusive decision-making at all levels should be monitored so as to ensure effective compliance with legal provisions.

The provisions for the possibility of the de-certification of a candidacy and suspension of political rights should have greater guarantees of access to due process for defendants in independent and impartial courts.

Strengthen political party capacity to remain active between elections and weigh in on public choices

Strengthen the multiparty system

Political parties should Endeavour to communicate their campaign messages in rural areas, and candidate debates at the local and national level should be expanded.

Improve communication among GECOM, political parties, civil society, and elections observers, possibly through the establishment of a liaison office

Steps to Ensure that Political Parties and Candidates Play by Democratic Rules

Even thought for the most part the campaign portion of the election was peaceful their were report of partisan street fights, burning opponent paraphernalia, and aggressive protesting. The big success and concern in this section is the campaign financing. This election was the first in Lebanon where the finance was regulated. The problem was that law of private bank and corporate protection hindered the Supervisory Commission on the Electoral Campaign (SCEC)ability to successfully regulate the candidates campaigns.

The NEC should encourage the parties to come together and create an effective code of conduct to govern their followers actions during campaign season.

The nomination process should be changed so that all citizens have the opportunity to run for political office. Changes in registration fee's would be the most effective method.

Parliament should reduce or eliminate minimum bank balance requirement to receive public funding for poll parties.

Clarify the rules regarding the substitution and alliances of candidates

Reform rules concerning alliance formation and dissolution

Enact legislation to help strengthen parties

Consider political party funding on the basis of the principle of a reasonably equitable process; consider public disclosure requirements and limits on external funds

Strengthen party structures to reach from the national to the village level

Consideration should be given towards establishing alternative procedures for the registration of presidential candidates. All eligible candidates should have an equal right to have their nomination accepted, such as through the collection of signatures. Members of the Shura should not participate in selecting presidential candidates. This may require constitutional change.

The Elections Law should be amended to remove or reduce the withdrawal period for local council candidates after they are registered. The SCER and political parties should take steps to protect the rights of candidates, including independent candidates, from harassment and undue pressure not to register or to withdraw.

The nomination period for aspiring presidential, parliamentary and local government candidates should be at least several days to give sufficient time to potential candidates.

Regardless of the chosen model, no candidate should be deprived of his or her right to stand for office without due process.