Parliament Approves Unanimously Lowering Voting Age

Source: Al-Manar TV, 19-3-2009

Finally, the Lebanese Parliament succeeded in approving the draft law that calls for lowering the voting age to 18, providing the young Lebanese generation with one of its fundamental rights; the right of vote.

Indeed, the proposal to lower the voting age was ratified unanimously in Parliament on Thursday. However, the law wouldn't be adopted during the forthcoming parliamentary elections and it will take effect basically in municipal elections in 2010.

Ahead of the session, the opposition called on MPs to confirm their declared support to lowering the voting age. In this context, the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc expressed hope MPs would translate their support into action. "We hope parliamentary blocs will turn into action their vocal support of an amendment to Article 21 of the Constitution to lower the voting age," the bloc said in a statement it released following its weekly meeting.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri described as "important" Thursday's session "because it addresses a vital issue for young people."
"Lawmakers will face a test regarding this age group," Berri told Lebanese daily An-Nahar. "There is no need for concern from the sectarian point of view," Berri assured "since Lebanese expatriates are going to be given the right to vote."