tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20696030752312337762024-03-14T03:16:28.454+02:00Electoral Reform LebanonAnalysis and important updates on the June 7th, 2009 Lebanese General ElectionsDeen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-14197548466112612072010-01-08T15:51:00.003+02:002010-01-08T15:59:04.410+02:00Democracy RankingsA global democracy ranking system has been completed and puts Lebanon 79 out of 97. That is below Venezuela (77) and Kuwait (76). I am not a huge fan of league tables but it does give you some perspective...for the full table click<a href="http://www.democracyranking.org/en/ranking.htm"> here</a>.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-86112014290799383612009-11-02T11:21:00.005+02:002011-08-22T21:38:38.215+02:00Electoral Reform Lebanon<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2007/12/17/FPC84.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 84px;" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2007/12/17/FPC84.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:arial;">I have just finished a piece for the think tank the Foreign Policy Centre on electoral reform in Lebanon. The piece focused on why there was such a misunderstanding of the Lebanese elections by the Western media and on the desire for electoral reform in Lebanon.</span>
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<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Electoral Reform in Lebanon </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In June 2009 Lebanon held its first 'free' election since 1972. On the conclusion of the elections Western media and political analysts were particularly guilty of premature celebrations and hyperbole, regarding the Western backed March 14 coalition election victory. These past elections were not a battle in which: "President Barack Obama defeated President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran"(1) or Western ideals of liberal democracy triumphed against Islamic totalitarianism. This confusion was immediately evident after the winning March 14 coalition soon began to fracture and Lebanon fell into all too familiar political paralysis. The reason for this misplaced euphoria by Western pundits was due to an essential misunderstanding about the battle being fought on the Lebanese political playing field. These elections were largely void of political ideology and were centered on the fight to represent certain sectarian groups, especially so for the Christian population, and the protection of patrimonial networks. Consociational politics have been deliberately established in Lebanon to ensure the protection of minority groups and ensure power sharing. But the politics of sect are not seen as sufficient by the Lebanese and there is a strong desire among civil society actors to change this consociational politics. One method being pushed, in this battle of "bad governance against good," is electoral reform. Reformers are trying to ensure that in the creation of a new election law for the 2013 elections two mechanisms are introduced: Proportional Representation (PR) and the creation of a Senate. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">TO CARRY ON READING: http://fpc.org.uk/articles/457</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-60880065078631985682009-07-09T11:48:00.005+03:002009-07-09T12:01:37.767+03:00Appeals to the Constitutional CouncilThe election results were accepted by all sides but suddenly the losers in this election, and in some cases even the winners (indirectly), have decided to challenge the results. A barrage of electoral disputes have been delivered to the <a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/05/constitutional-council.html">Constitutional Council</a> hours before the deadline by both sides. An-Nahar has published the full list of those candidates that have complained to the Council:<br /><p>Candidate Rachid ad Daher against MP Hadi Hobeich</p> <p>Candidate Nicola Sahnaoui against MP Michel Pharaon</p> <p>Candidate Eddie Abi al Lamaa against MP Salim Salhab </p> <p>Candidate Emile Kanaan against MP Ibrahim Kanaan </p> <p>Candidate Elie Karameh against MP Edgar Maalouf </p> <p>Candidate Elias Moukhayber against MP Ghassan Moukhayber </p> <p>Candidate Sarkis Sarkis against MP Nabil Nikola</p> <p>Candidate Kamil Maalouf against MP Joseph Maalouf</p> <p>Candidate Rami Oleik against MP Abbas Hachem </p> <p>Minister Elias Skaf against MP Nicola Fatouch</p> <p>Former MP Salim Aoun against MP Elie Marouni </p> <p>Former MP Hassan Yaakoub against MP Okab Sakr </p> <p>Candidate Rida al Mays against MP Issam Araji </p> <p>Ambassador Fouad al Turk against MP Toni abou Khater</p> <p>Candidate Adnan Arakji against MP Nouhad Machnouk </p> <p>Candidate Ajaj Haddad against MP Issam Sawaya</p> <p>Former MP Mikhail ad Daher against MP Hadi Hobeich</p> <p>Candidate Ghassan Rahbani against MP Michel El Mur</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Candidate Ghassan al Achkar against MP Sami Gemayel</p>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-65360959454867821932009-06-19T18:42:00.013+03:002009-06-22T13:26:32.662+03:00Electoral Reform and Proportional Representation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAabwAAF8z05Rnzp8FFB9JxIhIcckT9x8TePtV-Ww9WGiYZrSpYpDCrpC5l3Zp9e1IVu7eH7TDd7r9WUZQLzuLmu3U4K8WpWOeXY4j_1efXmKVuiR8UXQYihHpd5l3lWJcno5g0VKgneg/s1600-h/20080404113238.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAabwAAF8z05Rnzp8FFB9JxIhIcckT9x8TePtV-Ww9WGiYZrSpYpDCrpC5l3Zp9e1IVu7eH7TDd7r9WUZQLzuLmu3U4K8WpWOeXY4j_1efXmKVuiR8UXQYihHpd5l3lWJcno5g0VKgneg/s200/20080404113238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350092743893203538" border="0" /></a>The most popular politician in the country, if not the region and if Obama was not around who knows... Ziad Baroud has put his full weight behind Proportional Representation (PR).<br /><br />It is clear that the current electoral system is not politically viable and a entirely new system will have to be adopted. The Boutros Commission proposed a semi-PR system and although rejected for the 09 election will be taken up again and debated for the 2013 election and a form of PR is expected to be used in the 2010 election (for a guide on different <a href="http://ksghome.harvard.edu/%7Epnorris/Acrobat/IPSR%20Choosing%20Electoral%20Systems.pdf">electoral systems</a>).<br /><br />So to PR:<br /><blockquote></blockquote>"The principal of PR is that the seats in a constituency are divided according to the number of votes for party lists, but there are considerable variations in how this is implemented," Pippa Norris the election supremo summed up the <a href="http://ksghome.harvard.edu/%7Epnorris/Acrobat/IPSR%20Choosing%20Electoral%20Systems.pdf">PR electoral system</a>.<br /><br />So why are those interested in electoral reform in Lebanon going all starry eyed for PR, as opposed to the current first past the post (AKA plurality)?<br /><br />Plurality emphasizes governability while PR focuses on the inclusion of the minority voice.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fairvote.org/?page=2341"> John Stuart Mill </a>has outlined clearly, very shortly after the PR system was proposed, a wonderful defense of its virtues:<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote>"When the individuals composing the majority would no longer be reduced to Hobson's choice, of either voting for the person brought forward by their local leaders, or not voting at all; when the nominees of the leaders would have to encounter the competition not solely of the candidate of the minority, but of all the men of established reputation in the country who were willing to serve; it would be impossible any longer to foist upon the electors the first person who presents himself with the catchwords of the party in his mouth, and three or four thousand pounds in his pocket. The majority would insist on having a candidate worthy of their choice, or they would carry their votes somewhere else."<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br />Was the PR system made for Lebanon I hear...<br /><br />Positives and negatives of PR in Lebanon:<br /><br />1. Easing political polarization - PR could allow for independents to come through. For instance if Mouth Lebanon was one district and there were 10 seats if Lebanese Forces and Kataeb got 200,000 votes, Change and Reform 300,000 votes and then lets say Lahoud's Democratic Renewal 100,000 and the newly created "we are going in the center of everything you say party" 100,000 votes and "We are extreme" 100,000. Change and Reform would not win all ten seats as in the plurality system but would receive 3 of the seats, LF 2 and so on (this of course also depends on the type of PR system used). Thus, the system would give representation for all those voters whose votes would have otherwise been 'lost' if it was a first past the post. It would have been easier for a Presidential bloc to have emerged as it would have allowed all 'independents' to run without having to go under a March 8/March 14 list.<br /><br />2. Creation of national parties but increased sectarianism - If the above system described in Mount Lebanon was done across the nation parties would become a lot more national and not just have political representation, as is the case now, where their supporters are the outright majority. However, becuase political parties in Lebanon are based on confession this would mean that no longer would you vote for a Shia candidate if you were Christian and vise versa. The likely scenario for Lebanon would be the further entrenching of sectarianism with Christians only voting for Christian parties and Sunni for Sunni.... You would not longer get Muslims voting in Christian representatives that has been a major complaint of the Christian community.<br /><br />3. Rise of extremist parties - While the advantages are that more parties can express their political views and the a fuller plurality of opinion this also comes with the disadvantage that those with more extremist views are not pushed to the center by the main parties. The "We are extreme" party no longer has to make deals with mainstream parties and can now go it alone.<br /><br />4. Unstable coalitions - As stated at the start PR emphasizes the inclusion of the minority voice where as plurality focuses on governability. Thus, PR could have the potential to weaken an already fragile governmental structure. It is not clear that PR is the best system for inceasing the capacity and strength of the state. You just have to look at Italy and Israel to see how unstable coalitions can be ruinous to the creation of stable governments. Unlikely coalitions are nothing new in Lebanon but having many of these coalitions based on my enemy's enemy.... could be potentially devastating.<br /><br />A web of complexity awaits the debate about PR that has more forms than Lebanon has cedars...So let the debate beginDeen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-17744754948606504592009-06-17T14:51:00.002+03:002009-06-17T14:59:49.865+03:00Carter Observation Mission<div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090617115319-38ae0489db8e4ba5bc400bef37317f74&docName=lebanon-final-060809&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=Carter%20Observation%20Mission%20Lebanon&et=1245239935473&er=32" style="width:420px;height:594px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/lebanon-final-060809?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=lebanon" target="_blank">More lebanon</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-40621129566361936342009-06-16T15:03:00.005+03:002009-06-17T15:11:07.980+03:00Paying for votes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2KopWlCP5KQbx6FTQjflLepTGHPwA48HLphUa9k5-E2t_OaWaaqV3Vesn2mM_iGcyD4nsgTTLF4g34_SobUVb7vdVeqeq7UAvSSWuVZ0rurYaUskSUIJ4P3cG3i_rs6v6Vxdr8orCGQ/s1600-h/LTA+ENGLISH.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2KopWlCP5KQbx6FTQjflLepTGHPwA48HLphUa9k5-E2t_OaWaaqV3Vesn2mM_iGcyD4nsgTTLF4g34_SobUVb7vdVeqeq7UAvSSWuVZ0rurYaUskSUIJ4P3cG3i_rs6v6Vxdr8orCGQ/s200/LTA+ENGLISH.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347901553852705570" border="0" /></a>The Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA) launched its perliminary findings for its finance investigation. Vote buying occurred, according to the LTA, widely in Zahle, Saida, Zghorta, Metn, Batroun and West Bekka. How much was paid for a Vote varied: Saida the price was $60-100; $800 in Zahle and up to $3,000 in Zghorta. The LTA also noted that a large amount of financial abuses were done before the campaign monitoring period began. A full report will be published at the end of the summer.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-74436343872944818022009-06-11T19:55:00.010+03:002009-06-12T16:14:07.170+03:00Dispelling Lebanon Election Myths<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.richpalmer.com/podcast/images/shows/myths.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 206px;" src="http://www.richpalmer.com/podcast/images/shows/myths.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Previously, I had a go at <a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/06/analysts-bit-confused.html">Noe and Young </a>for contradictions in their analysis. Yet, their contributions in allowing people to understand the Lebanese political context and the elections are important, especially having read the some of the international commentary that is fundamentally wrong. These international commentators have created three central myths around the elections that are deconstructed one by one below. If only international commentators that came to Lebanon for the elections, or not at all, would read more Noe or Young!<br /><br />1. <span id="mn_Global"><span id="mn_Article"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/opinion/10friedman.html">A solid majority of Lebanese Christians voted against the list of Michel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aoun</span></span></a></span></span> (as stated by Friedman in his candy floss covered article)<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FPM</span></span> itself has 10 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MPs</span></span>, which is the same as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LF</span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kataeb</span></span> combined so the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FPM</span></span> is still the largest Christian party. While, the Change and Reform bloc consists of 27 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MPs</span></span> only beaten by the March 14 bloc itself. A solid majority of Christians did not vote against <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Aoun</span></span>.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/a%20solid%20majority%20of%20all%20Lebanese%20%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%94%20Muslims,%20Christians%20and%20Druse%20%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%94%20voted%20for%20the%20March%2014%20coalition%20led%20by%20Saad%20Hariri,%20the%20son%20of%20the%20slain%20Lebanese%20prime%20minister,%20Rafik%20Hariri.">A solid majority of all Lebanese — Muslims, Christians and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Druse</span></span> — voted for the March 14 coalition led by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Saad</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hariri</span></span>, the son of the slain Lebanese prime minister</a>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rafik</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hariri</span></span> (again Friedman)<br /><br />The popular vote went 800,000 for March 8 (and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">FPM</span></span>) and 700,000 for March 14. A solid majority of all Lebanese did not vote for the March 14 coalition. This was still a confessional electoral system and the vote was split along confessional lines, except in the Christian areas, thus "all Lebanese" did not vote for March 14.<br /><br />3.<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/08/lebanon-elections-obama-effect"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Obama's</span></span> speech won the elections for March 14 and that the visits by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Biden</span></span> and Clinton persuaded Christian voters to vote for March 14</a> (Simon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Tisdall</span></span> of the Guardian and many other international commentators)<br /><br />While, of course this is not very tangible and is a simple matter of opinion I challenge this comment on the basis of where the elections were won:<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Zahle</span></span> that went 7-0 to March 14 a result even the most ardent March 14 supporters were not expecting. The primary reason for this win is the 70% turnout of the Sunni population that occurred because of extensive persuasion by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Saad</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Hariri</span></span>. I have been told by someone working at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Kataeb</span></span> offices on election day that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Hariri</span></span> made a call to coax Sunni voters to go out and vote, at around 3pm they came in bus loads. The idea that this exceptional Sunni turnout was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">becuase</span></span> they were inspired by the Obama/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Biden</span></span>/Clinton (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">OBC</span></span>) brigade to go out and vote in such force is highly suspect.<br /><br />In Beirut One, the other vital district, it may be more believable that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">OBC</span></span> brigade had an some sort of effect. Personally, I feel it is much more likely that May 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">th</span></span> of last year when Hezbollah took over much of Beirut and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Aoun</span></span>-Hezbollah agreement over 2006 cost the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">FPM</span></span> the five seats in this district.<br /><br />In both districts and nationally Patriarch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Sfeir's</span></span> last minute intervention on the side of March 14 is seen as having a significant effect in persuading Christian voters to go vote for March 14. But of course for most western commentators this does not fit into the secular-democratic-Obama-miracle that is March 14 against Iran narrative they are constructing.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">--This article was edited after a comment corrected a sloppy sentence on the 12th June.</span>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-49732719403184439842009-06-11T12:26:00.001+03:002009-06-11T12:27:55.011+03:00EU Perliminary Statement<div><object style="width: 420px; height: 544px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090611091329-31a0c2af2a2f4874a4fb1350b452ec4f&docName=eu_preliminary_statement&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=EU%20Preliminary%20Election%20Statement&et=1244712394896&er=52"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="menu" value="false"><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" style="width: 420px; height: 544px;" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090611091329-31a0c2af2a2f4874a4fb1350b452ec4f&docName=eu_preliminary_statement&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=EU%20Preliminary%20Election%20Statement&et=1244712394896&er=52"></embed></object><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/eu_preliminary_statement?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=media" target="_blank">More media</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-54063936156624722472009-06-11T11:07:00.000+03:002009-06-11T11:08:23.094+03:00The IFES Review<div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090611080228-6df2ddaa14d144208fd9c109a0c1508d&docName=ifes_lebanon_review_of_7_june_2009_results-1&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=IFES%20Election%20Review&et=1244707624757&er=71" style="width:420px;height:297px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/ifes_lebanon_review_of_7_june_2009_results-1?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=sectarian" target="_blank">More sectarian</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-31927802888879753952009-06-11T10:25:00.001+03:002009-06-11T10:47:03.080+03:00Updated/Modified Statement by NDI<div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090611073520-e34002e357e3490385eca1fb9ef85040&docName=statementndi&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=NDI%20Mission%20Update&et=1244706380225&er=3" style="width: 420px; height: 297px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/statementndi?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=ndi" target="_blank">More ndi<br /></a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-16955556302302539862009-06-10T18:28:00.004+03:002009-06-10T19:13:13.498+03:00The Analysts a bit confused<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.casafree.com/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/13268/contradiction.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 153px;" src="http://www.casafree.com/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/13268/contradiction.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Comparing what two analysts were saying before the elections and after you can read some beautiful contradictions:<br /><br />Up first is the notorious Michael Young:<br /><br />on April 9th:<br /><br /><a href="http://michaelyoungscolumns.blogspot.com/2009/04/syria-will-win-lebanons-elections.html">Syria will win Lebanon's elections</a> <br /><br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">Whether it is the March 14 coalition and its allies that wins, or the March 8 coalition with the Aounists,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">the forthcoming Parliament will be much friendlier to Syria than the current one is</span>, <span>representing a marked return of Damascus' hegemony over Lebanon</span>," Young argued.<br /><br />Now June 9th:<br /><br /><a href="http://michaelyoungscolumns.blogspot.com/2009/06/lebanons-elections-early-inquest.html">Lebanon's elections: an early inquest</a><br /><br />"Most significantly,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> the election results were a setback for Syria</span>." Young claimed.<br /><br />Over to Nicholas Noe:<br /><br />On May 6th Noe wrote an article entitled: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/06/lebanon-election-hezbollah"><span style="font-size:100%;">The end of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution</span></a>: <span style="font-size:100%;">The west must recognise that a Hezbollah victory in elections could force it into responsibility and disarmament.<br /><br />In the article Noe stated "</span>Top US officials are apparently content with focusing on the bigger picture of engaging Iran and Syria and leaving Lebanon to the rhetorical purview of staunch March 14 supporters like <a href="http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/latest_embassy_news/press-releases08/remarksgeagea012408.html" title="">Jeffrey Feltman</a>, the former ambassador to Lebanon, now assistant secretary of near east policy, <span style="font-weight: bold;">who presided over March 14's spectacular rise and fall</span>."<br /><br />Now June 9th Noe declares: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/09/lebanon-us-cedar-revolution"> </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/09/lebanon-us-cedar-revolution">The US must help Hariri</a>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">There are three fronts on which the US can help make the Cedar revolution into a genuine Lebanese revolution.</span><br /><br />I must admit however, I was fully convinced that March 8 would win and March 14 was also dead. Unfortunately I do not have quite the platform to make a fool out of myself like Young and Noe!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div id="main-article-info"> </div> <div id="main-article-info"> </div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-15329229851633333392009-06-10T10:07:00.003+03:002009-06-10T10:46:03.730+03:00The Election Results Brokendown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mountcope.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/numbers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 170px;" src="http://mountcope.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/numbers.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You can get the full breakdown of the election by clicking <a href="http://www.elections.gov.lb/Elections-Results/2009-Real-time-Results.aspx?lang=en-us">here</a>.<br /><br />The interesting bits<br /><br />The breakdown of the results show that in Beirut One March 14 clearly won by just under 3,000 votes for each candidate. Nayla Tueni received the most amount of votes with 19,985. The voter turnout of Beirut One was only 40% of registered voters which is very low for a district that had such a competitive race but it must be remembered many of these registered voters may not live in Lebanon anymore.<br /><br />In Zahle Elias Skaff the major traditional political force in Zahle lost by some 4,000 votes, while interestingly Okab Saqr received the most votes in Zahle but is a Shia candidate where the number of Shia are not so numerous. In fact the reason for the March 14 win in Zahle is being put down to the high Sunni turnout in the district. A nice quirk but no more.<br /><br />Michel Aoun only won his seat by by 2,000 voters in Kerserwan.<br /><br />In total March 8 won the popular vote by 800,000 to 700,000 but the district system means seats are weighed differently, thus allowing a March 14 victory.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-32202439560102381162009-06-09T10:25:00.001+03:002009-06-09T10:27:05.087+03:00NDI Observer Mission StatementI will be publishing all the major observer mission reports on this blog. Here is the first one from the NDI.<br /><br /><div><object style="width: 420px; height: 594px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090609072324-6cdb64a6bdf84847b953c03fdef528a6&docName=statement_of_ndi_lebanon_observer_mission_june_200&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=NDI%20Observer%20Mission&et=1244532323205&er=61"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="menu" value="false"><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" style="width: 420px; height: 594px;" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090609072324-6cdb64a6bdf84847b953c03fdef528a6&docName=statement_of_ndi_lebanon_observer_mission_june_200&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=NDI%20Observer%20Mission&et=1244532323205&er=61"></embed></object><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/statement_of_ndi_lebanon_observer_mission_june_200?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=ndi" target="_blank">More ndi</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-9045335598522108422009-06-08T19:48:00.004+03:002009-06-08T20:03:30.840+03:00Hezbollah winners or losers?The debate is continuing as to whether Hezbollah wanted <a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-7-was-glorious-day.html">to win this election or not</a>. <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4976">Paul Salem </a>gives a very convincing argument that Hezbollah would not really benefit from winning. An argument he makes that I am very much a believer in is why get involved with the Lebanese state when they have a highly effective state of their own? Further to this, Salem makes the point why would they want to get involved in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aoun's</span> desire for the Presidency? This is especially the case when Hezbollah and current President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sleiman</span> have excellent relations.<br /><br />Hezbollah may have benefited from increased legitimacy domestically and internationally if they had won the elections within the March 8 coalition. Other than this it is very unclear as to what Hezbollah would have benefited from if they had won these elections.<br /><br />Maybe we will here it all from the man himself as he speaks at 8:30pm tonight.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-36352592212983356652009-06-08T17:54:00.006+03:002009-06-11T11:28:13.302+03:00The Final Result<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F7iort9b0HY6Yy7ttxKLNoyK2XVinrsx1jYiw9gpGhyphenhyphenHU-4cFW-Pv6HYNIz-GQbH6i-Q1HdXPvJRB5Z2OmfXagLFvtJ46BqgYVnh2wvg7lS0SMWe9vL12PjN8CSMgQP5Ov4gG-UQle4/s1600-h/Election+Day+2009+%289%29web.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F7iort9b0HY6Yy7ttxKLNoyK2XVinrsx1jYiw9gpGhyphenhyphenHU-4cFW-Pv6HYNIz-GQbH6i-Q1HdXPvJRB5Z2OmfXagLFvtJ46BqgYVnh2wvg7lS0SMWe9vL12PjN8CSMgQP5Ov4gG-UQle4/s200/Election+Day+2009+%289%29web.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344997228485565554" border="0" /></a>The most important district of this election was<a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/05/key-electoral-battle-of-zahle.html"> Zahle</a>; the winner of this election missed by all except supporters was the March 14 coalition. March 14 finished with 71 seats (with two independents) and March 8 finished with 58.<br /><br />Zahle was expected to go to March 8 (and FPM) but instead it was announced that all seven seats went to March 14.<br /><br />Overall in the Christian districts, where this election was really occurring, the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb and Christian "independents" of March 14 made vital gains in Beirut One, Zahle and Metn, while also maintaining their seats in Batroun.<br /><br />The FPM although increasing the number of seats in their Change and Reform coalition to 27 from 21 were unable to gain enough to achieve an electoral win for the March 8 coalition.<br /><br /><br /><div><object style="width: 420px; height: 544px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090608162210-500f0d2f1c164212aacd5183fc5e75f4&docName=final_results_2009&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=Lebanon%20Elections%202009%20Final%20Results&et=1244478482335&er=14"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="menu" value="false"><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" style="width: 420px; height: 544px;" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090608162210-500f0d2f1c164212aacd5183fc5e75f4&docName=final_results_2009&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=Lebanon%20Elections%202009%20Final%20Results&et=1244478482335&er=14"></embed></object><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/final_results_2009?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=results" target="_blank">More results</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-80719652966817795602009-06-08T12:00:00.004+03:002009-06-08T12:51:53.879+03:00The Results with Metn and Zahle to comeThe results for Zahle and Metn are still to be confirmed. Zahle is expected to go 7-0 to March 14 from information thus far and in the Metn they are expected to win two seats resulting in 71 seats for March 14 and 57 seats for March 8. What a result for March 14!<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=090608094215-691acd76126f4569bc5ada40de007859&docName=elections_results_2009&username=deensharp&loadingInfoText=Lebanon%20Election%20Results&et=1244454265556&er=88" style="width: 420px; height: 544px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/deensharp/docs/elections_results_2009?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=results" target="_blank">More results</a></div></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-60877269475498949242009-06-07T23:56:00.005+03:002009-06-08T00:11:45.472+03:00March 14 win!! ? UnofficialIt looks as March 14 have won the Lebanese parlimentary elections. Fireworks and horns from March 14 supporters are let off as exit polls reveal themselves. The blogger Qifa Nabki called it first in the world of Twitter as Zahle went March 14 7-0, in the West Bekka 6-0 and Koura 3-0 all upsets for March 8. Reuters qoute a unnamed Hezbollah offical stating "We've lost the election," the source, who declined to be named, told Reuters. "We accept the result as the will of the people."Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-76912494991373530332009-06-07T19:02:00.003+03:002009-06-07T19:23:07.295+03:00Election Day @ 7pm Polls ClosedThe Polls have closed and without significant incident, although there has been a lot of moaning about long queues at the polling station. Come on!! So all in all at the close of play for the voting process well done Lebanon!<br /><br />Michel Ghanem on LBC has announced that 32 seats have been guaranteed for the opposition March 8 + FPM and 26 for March 14.<br /><br />Now let the all important stage of the results begin!Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-1540928188658099582009-06-07T16:27:00.010+03:002009-06-07T17:16:31.502+03:00Election Day - upto 5:12pm Beirut Time<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a0ZT4U7BSEeocUO_BP8AjlQF__PeJqT85dusOnQCEhSuf3PS-R0mYIDqOkjXwpZo1n8PmOzh4iD8GljPZ9kVOOZ1JKZAXwHcGV-fr-v8r-gDtwZErZ4ASzlV5mjm_AB6yZ7eR-KfDvs/s1600-h/Election+Day+2009+%282%29Web.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a0ZT4U7BSEeocUO_BP8AjlQF__PeJqT85dusOnQCEhSuf3PS-R0mYIDqOkjXwpZo1n8PmOzh4iD8GljPZ9kVOOZ1JKZAXwHcGV-fr-v8r-gDtwZErZ4ASzlV5mjm_AB6yZ7eR-KfDvs/s200/Election+Day+2009+%282%29Web.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344586766396557394" border="0" /></a>6am<br /><br />The day began at 6am when I set off to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zahle</span>. Going through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sassine</span> in Beirut a heavy military presence was evident. There was a smooth flow of traffic on the way and on arriving at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zahle</span> a military presence was notable at the entrance to the town but not heavily throughout the centre.<br /><br />7:30am<br /><br />In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zahle</span> voters were beginning to trickle through to the polling stations. Support for the two political factions March 8 + <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FPM</span> and March 14 was <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RXb1_r-SRZh1TDRx6pdnxS0LhmhyphenhyphentVzHNIKLgP3pZP3KrdlWXPTww6BZ14Cj2MaMlGymPMjlVInmvhg7dgis1CzvM-IwpHCKgxW9-XkxGbnDbPZzL8KbMSIlb3nsVbDugW4WrzuX7lE/s1600-h/Election+Day+2009+%2816%29Web.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RXb1_r-SRZh1TDRx6pdnxS0LhmhyphenhyphentVzHNIKLgP3pZP3KrdlWXPTww6BZ14Cj2MaMlGymPMjlVInmvhg7dgis1CzvM-IwpHCKgxW9-XkxGbnDbPZzL8KbMSIlb3nsVbDugW4WrzuX7lE/s200/Election+Day+2009+%2816%29Web.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344587111911564274" border="0" /></a>highly visible, with supporters handing out their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-printed ballots to supporters. The town was calm and apart from the chaotic parking and traffic all appeared to be running smoothly. Supporters from both coalitions were both happy however, this was first thing in the morning! Taxis were a noticeable addition to the scenery in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Zahle</span> I saw a several Hello Taxis transporting to the party headquarters of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Skaff</span> voters who I assume have been brought from abroad to vote.<br /><br />10:30 am<br /><br />Made way back to Beirut, again traffic was running smoothly and apart from supporters doing the usual contest with flags and political hand signals (maybe a will provide a guide to these one day!) all was calm.<br /><br />11:30 am<br /><br />Went over to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dahiya</span> to see what is happening in this part of town. All is calm and well organized. On the way going through the old airport road was nice to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Amal</span> and Future supporters mingling (more or less).<br /><br />12:30pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBajkvYkglTtMFcgzcMbu75qGVfaYqprpq1XnswtdqHrHOq2S0nk_4jZ0mL8qAqET7G0x9oDfie1mjwdSOSUp0uYyadUeYGPytKmD1D4gBIzUZIF06X0ELBYBOI22drxoiRISsvg-IWE/s1600-h/Election+Day+2009+%2849%29D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBajkvYkglTtMFcgzcMbu75qGVfaYqprpq1XnswtdqHrHOq2S0nk_4jZ0mL8qAqET7G0x9oDfie1mjwdSOSUp0uYyadUeYGPytKmD1D4gBIzUZIF06X0ELBYBOI22drxoiRISsvg-IWE/s200/Election+Day+2009+%2849%29D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344585716225869426" border="0" /></a>Went to Beirut One, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Sodeco</span>, and saw that at lot of movement was occurring at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Beydoun</span> street. There I witnessed lots of army trying to control a situation between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nadim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Gemayel</span> supporters and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">FPM</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Nadim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Gemayel's</span> sister (who I do not know the name of so someone please inform me if you know) trying to assist her brother's supporters but was being kept away. Then a man was forcefully removed, without too much resistance, by two army personnel that was cheered by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">FPM</span> supporters. Another man was also arrested but was unable to see clearly what went on. The army quickly maintained calm and even allowed voters to continue voting while trying to establish full security.<br /><br />Away from my personal experience<br /><br />Interior Minister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Baroud</span> announced that by 3pm voter turnout was at 40% compared to 2005 where voter turnout was 45% in total and confirmed that significant security incidents have not occurred and traffic did not prove to be an issue.<br /><br />At 5:12pm so far so good.<br /></div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-87490644738121052592009-06-05T18:03:00.006+03:002009-06-11T17:21:47.042+03:00IFES Carnegie Final Election Brief<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aljazeera.net/mritems/images/2005/6/28/1_548276_1_34.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 135px;" src="http://www.aljazeera.net/mritems/images/2005/6/28/1_548276_1_34.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>IFES and Carnegie gave a final briefing to journalists for the election on Sunday. Following the last joint briefing by <a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/04/june-2009-elections-issues-and.html">IFES and Carnegie</a> in April.<br /><br />Richard Chambers, Party Head of IFES in Lebanon, stated that there is an electoral competition in almost all districts. March 8 and March 14 have presented candidate lists almost throughout the country and this has been added to by independent lists in some districts. Thus, these elections are the competitive in a while.<br /><br />Paul Salem, of Carnegie, stated that these are the first proper free elections since 1972 and outlined three posts-election scenarios:<br /><br />1. Hung parliament what Salem sees as most likely. "This is where each camp holds large minorities and a group of independents, close to the President, holding the balance of votes," Salem said. Outside powers of Saudi, US and Syria are directly and indirectly trying to push for this occurrence Salem stated. Interestingly, Salem claims that Syria does not want an all out March 8th victory because Aoun has a difficult relationship with Syria and Hezbollah is closer to Iran. So for Syria the best result is a hung parliament and Syria successfully sold this idea to the US and Saudi as the best option, according to Salem.<br /><br />2. March 14 win. March 14 have stated that they will refuse to grant veto power to March 8 but Salem warns this could lead to violence and should instead get clear commitments from March 8 to move forward on key political and economic issues.<br /><br />3. March 8 win. Salem states that this could lead to a situation where there is a collapse in support for Lebanon from the international community and the Gulf states. This could lead to "a collapse in confidence in Lebanon and a precipitous decline into economic and social unrest."Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-75592411985109087042009-06-05T14:05:00.003+03:002009-06-05T18:03:00.043+03:00The Curious Case of the IndependentsWhat is an independent in this election?? Is it someone aligned with the President? <a href="http://lebelections.blogspot.com/2009/05/two-generals-michels-one-president.html">Not according to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aoun</span></a> as we have seen with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jbeil</span> Independent list, led by former advisor to the President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nazam</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Khoury</span>, that has merged into the March 14 list. Michel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Murr</span> in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Metn</span> who is on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kataeb</span> March 14 list. This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">allegiance</span> with 'independents' has dropped President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sleiman</span> into hot water, especially in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jbeil</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Sleiman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Franjieh</span> has also come out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">forcefully</span> against the President stating that he is making daily <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">visits</span> to his hometown of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Amchit</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Jbeil</span> encouraging support for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Khoury</span>, now of course on the March 14 list. <br /><br />Tripoli is a unique district for 'independents' that are independent from both the President and the two coalitions March 8 (plus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">FPM</span>) and March 14. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Najib</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Mikati</span>, on March 14 affiliated list, and Omar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Karami</span>, on the March 8 list, are both big political figures in their own right and powerful enough to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">manoeuvre</span> independently of the five big men that make up March 14 and March 8. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Mikati</span> is expected to be the next Prime Minister<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"></span>.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-33206837807151923292009-06-05T09:39:00.004+03:002009-06-05T12:59:19.639+03:00What elections?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.npwj.org/_resources/_documents/Uploaded-Files/Image/International%20CrisisGroup_logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 148px;" src="http://www.npwj.org/_resources/_documents/Uploaded-Files/Image/International%20CrisisGroup_logo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>These elections don't really matter because the fundamental conflicts that brought Lebanon to a standstill since 2004 have not been addressed, according to The International Crisis Group (ICG). In fact the ICG argues that these elections because of the electoral law and the agreements made at Doha will make the likelihood of any proper national reconciliation less likely not more. "The elections will further entrench existing political elites, the system of which they are prime beneficiaries and the structural paralysis it produces."
<br />
<br />
<br />The ICG has just issued a report on the elections: <a href="http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=6130&l=1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lebanon's Elections: Avoiding a new cycle of confrontation</span></a>.<span style="" recheader2="" align="justify"><b>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></b></span>Recommendations made by the report:
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDeen%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.numbers1, li.numbers1, div.numbers1 {mso-style-name:numbers1; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.bulletsa, li.bulletsa, div.bulletsa {mso-style-name:bulletsa; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.recheader2, li.recheader2, div.recheader2 {mso-style-name:recheader2; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">To Lebanese Parties: <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">1. Recognize and accept the election results, while avoiding rhetorical incitement.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">2. Reiterate support for the broad principle of power-sharing.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">3. Relaunch, as soon as possible and under the president’s guidance, the national dialogue on strengthening <st1:country-region st="on">Lebanon</st1:country-region>’s sovereignty, which was initiated by the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Doha</st1:place></st1:city> agreement but de facto suspended as elections neared.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">4. Task a parliamentary commission, upon formation of a new government, with immediately drafting an electoral law that includes reforms set aside in the context of the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Doha</st1:place></st1:city> agreement, in particular:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bulletsa">(a) bolstering the independence and mandate of the Electoral Supervision Committee; and<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bulletsa">(b) defining clear and practical rules governing campaign funding and propaganda. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">5. Task a parliamentary commission, upon formation of a new government, with immediately drafting a law on the Constitutional Council, in particular granting the court the power to interpret the Constitution. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="recheader2">To both sides’ foreign allies (notably the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Saudi Arabia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Syria</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Iran</st1:country-region>) and actively involved third parties (such as <st1:country-region st="on">France</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Qatar</st1:place></st1:country-region>):<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">6. Accept and recognise the election results. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">7. Avoid exacerbating divisions by, notably, encouraging a power-sharing arrangement.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">8. Deal with the future government on the basis of its actual behaviour (in particular whether it respects international obligations), rather than its specific composition.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">9. Engage in a mediation effort or, if needed, support one undertaken by others.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="numbers1">10. Take steps to improve the political system by: <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bulletsa">(a) backing civil society reform efforts toward systemic reform;<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bulletsa">(b) insisting on strengthenig the Constitutional Council’s role; and <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bulletsa">(c) denouncing, publicly and clearly, abusive electoral practices, such as vote-buying and the lack of standardised ballots.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="" recheader2="" align="justify"><b>
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<br /></b></span>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-41924055486388326722009-06-04T19:04:00.003+03:002009-06-04T19:20:17.910+03:00A Rather Confused Observation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/images/2008/06/02/20080602feature1photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/images/2008/06/02/20080602feature1photo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Safir</span> reporter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Marlein</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Khalifeh</span> reported on the bizarre press conference of the Francophone Delegation for Electoral Communication and Information. The press conference reportedly lasted less than half an hour as journalists were at a loss for questions as the panelists were apparently dazed and confused. Have no fear however, the fearless leader of this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">observation</span> mission, or should I say Electoral Communication and Information delegation, Professor Albert <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Borgi</span> stated: "Personally I've always <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">criticized</span> Observation missions and considered them as a mere electoral and pictorial joke most of the time." So instead of observing this mission is here to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">evaluate </span>and bless the polls. For those that will do the thankless task of reading all the observation mission reports this report may be just what you have been waiting for!Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-76529507601954998412009-06-04T15:03:00.007+03:002009-06-04T18:43:33.049+03:00Calm before the storm?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://feww.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/saudi-sand-storm-ap1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 128px;" src="http://feww.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/saudi-sand-storm-ap1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Many people have commented on the fact there has been relative quite in Lebanon just days before the elections. The occasional security incidents, since January, that have occurred so far have been mainly in Tripoli, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jebail</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Batroun</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zahle</span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Saida</span></span>. These security incidents have gradually stopped as the elections have drawn nearer, much to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">everyones</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">surprise</span>.<br /><br />The usual sensationalist recriminations in the media have also been tame in comparison to the rhetoric that usually gets bounced around the Lebanese arena. Many Lebanese I have talked to have warned that this is just the calm before the storm and are preparing for the weekend to be when it will happen. "This is Lebanon" is the mantra.<br /><br />What ever the reasons for the calm I think Lebanon should be proud of the fact that before a major internal political event the environment is peaceful and relatively constructive. Of course everything can change in an instant but lets applaud the calm, thus far, while not being complacent of a possible storm on the election weekend.Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069603075231233776.post-31046794767576437562009-06-04T09:54:00.005+03:002009-06-04T10:52:19.510+03:00Citizen Observers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFaceMJjbeVKRYfyj2uEXBmjfvcvXtgVwo1Vv5LnYruIA708SdOvnxuI-jKHShkPWufBjIAusIjgkhoIz6YXsNUAXed_FeJZFV5RmvylVmNTPBmREoUwAq8ig-Yvaginyk0edPQX6qCA/s1600-h/home_logo_slogan2.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 44px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFaceMJjbeVKRYfyj2uEXBmjfvcvXtgVwo1Vv5LnYruIA708SdOvnxuI-jKHShkPWufBjIAusIjgkhoIz6YXsNUAXed_FeJZFV5RmvylVmNTPBmREoUwAq8ig-Yvaginyk0edPQX6qCA/s200/home_logo_slogan2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343377030386948322" border="0" /></a>While there are many international observers that have come to monitor the elections in Lebanon, what about the 4 million Lebanese observers of this election? What is their opinion of what is happening on the ground? Well if <a href="http://sharek961.org/">Sharek961</a> gets of the ground we could soon find out.
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<br /><a href="http://sharek961.org/">Sharek961.org</a> plans to utilize Lebanese citizens/<span style="font-size:100%;">observers across the country and have created a site that allows you to email (report@sharek961.org) , SMS (t0 7118 9118), Twitter (@sharek961) or place web reports on the site. The idea is that citizens share their election experience. </span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDeen%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; mso-font-alt:"Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:4.3pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-hyphenate:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:#00FF;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;" ><span style=""> </span></span></span>
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<br /><span style=";font-family:font;font-size:100%;" >"Reports can address anything election-related happening around the country, from political rallies and polling queues to vote-buying and violence," the Sharek team stated in a press release. </span>
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<br />It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback they get and Sharek961 have stated:
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >"</span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: arial;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDeen%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; mso-font-alt:"Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:4.3pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-hyphenate:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:#00FF;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;" >Sharek961 does not attempt to verify reports and makes no claims as to their accuracy; as a neutral platform it publishes all material reports without editorial or censorship." </span>
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<br /><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback occurs in such a free for all environment!</span></span> Will we get the first bit of breaking news regarding electoral news from a citizen reporting to Shark961? Or will it just act as a platform for political slander? The choice really is up to the Lebanese.
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<br /><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;" ></span>The site was created by <a href="http://www.sharek961.org/sharikblog/?page_id=5">five Lebanese </a>volunteers that have funded the project themselves and have been supported by a variety of organizations. The idea was taken fromUshahidi, which means "testimony" in Swahili, a Kenyan crowd sourcing information site.
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<br /><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;" ></span> </div>Deen Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01962028578190992256noreply@blogger.com1