Report: Berri Criticizes 'Exploitation' of Influence for Electoral Ends

As political parties and parliament hopefuls gear for the upcoming legislative May elections, Speaker Nabih Berri expressed resentment with the “use of influence for electoral purposes,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

Berri expressed “resentment with manifestations of influence reported in several electoral districts. Complaints are growing every day about candidates, having state positions or links to security apparatuses, exploiting their influence for electoral purposes,” the daily quoted the Speaker as telling his visitors.

The Speaker did not specify anyone, but according to reports some state figure candidates are using their influence and state benefits for the welfare of their campaigns.

Berri added picking at the country's electoral law: “Everything so far shows that the current electoral law needs to be improved,” he said.

On May 6, Lebanon will stage its first elections in nine years based on a complex proportional representation law, only agreed in June, 2017.

The elections will be held across 15 electoral districts. The new law stipulates that each voter shall vote for one of the competing lists and shall be entitled to cast one preferential vote for a candidate of the same chosen list.

According to reports some state figures running in the upcoming polls are using their influence and state benefits for the welfare of their campaigns.

On a question whether he would name Prime Minister Saad Hariri for a second term, Berri said: “Yes I will vote for him.”