The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued the following statement: Some social media platforms circulated an image published three days ago (on May 7, 2022, before the voting process in the United States) showing a Lebanese diplomatic bag on the luggage claim belt at the Oregon airport, which apparently contained a box. This raised legitimate questions among those who saw the image regarding the existence of a ballot box of such importance in this improper situation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates emphasizes with conclusive evidence that this bag contains an empty plastic box with no contents or envelopes containing voter ballots. The ministry sent empty boxes belonging to the polling centers under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Los Angeles via DHL, where they were received and distributed empty to polling centers in the cities within its jurisdiction, including the city of Oregon. The appointed center head, Mr. Michel Asaf, carried it with him on a flight from Los Angeles airport to Oregon airport on May 7 (the same day the image was published on social media) and received it just like any other travel luggage, following the internal air transport regulations in the United States, especially since it does not contain any sensitive documents or contents requiring receipt in the internal cargo area (for reference: a photo of his travel document and shipping receipt with matching dates is available).
After completing the voting process on May 8, 2022, one day after the image was published, the box containing the GPS tracking device was securely sealed and packaged according to the established standards, and procedures were initiated for its shipment to Beirut via DHL, in accordance with the safety arrangements applied to all boxes containing voter ballots to ensure their arrival away from the reach of any traveler or other individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates reiterates, in line with its previous statements based on reports from its relevant missions and statements from the shipping company, its precise commitment to keep the Lebanese and global public informed of the true picture of the electoral process it had the honor of organizing under the watchful eye of the world with the highest standards of integrity and transparency, away from marginal attempts at disruption that do not affect the institutional achievement realized.
