The Minister of Interior and Municipalities in the caretaker government, Brigadier General Mohamed Fahmy, revealed that the date for the by-elections "will be after the end of Easter for Christian sects and the month of fasting (Ramadan) for Muslims."
Fahmy explained to the "Al-Joumhouria" newspaper today that the elections will be postponed for this reason until after next April, with the decision to hold or cancel them returning to the President of the Republic and the caretaker Prime Minister. He confirmed that the Ministry of Interior is "ready to organize the elections," but noted that "the cost will be high, approaching 8 billion Lebanese pounds, and the Minister of Finance needs to determine whether he can secure this amount."
He also pointed out that "the COVID-19 pandemic presents a challenge for the by-elections," expressing concern that some employees might refrain from attending polling centers due to health reasons. "There is also a possibility that the voter turnout will be very low due to fear of the risk of the pandemic; however, these considerations will not prevent the Ministry of Interior from completing its preparations in line with our legal and constitutional responsibilities."
The by-elections will be held to choose 10 deputies for the vacant seats in 7 districts, following the vacancy of 10 parliamentary seats due to the resignation of eight deputies (Boutros Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, Elias Hankash, Marwan Hamada, Henry Helou, Ni'mat Afram, Michel Moawad) and the deaths of two deputies (Michel Murr and Jean Obeid).
