Are official election results processed by an electronic tabulation system?

Article 94 (law No. 25/2008) states that: “At the end of the voting process, polling is closed and only the station panel, party agents (permanent and/or mobile) and accredited observers may stay inside the polling station.

The ballot box shall be opened and the envelopes counted. The minutes shall mention if the envelope count is more or less than the number of names crossed-off on the checklist.

The polling station head or any of his/her assistants shall open the envelopes one by one and audibly read the name or names elected by the voter, under the effective supervision of candidates or agents or authorized observers if any.”

Article 99

The registration committees shall study the minutes and documents, take the relevant decisions, and announce the figures stated in each record to the attendants (the candidates or their agents).

These committees shall also count and add the votes obtained by each candidate, then draw up a record of all results- according to the tables and minutes done in duplicate after having them signed by all of the committee members-, and submit it to the higher committee of the electoral district.

The Directorate General of Political Affairs and Refugees at the Ministry of the Interior and Municipalities shall appoint an employee to receive the minutes of polling stations and documents attached thereto one after another from the registration committee as soon as this committee has finished its work with every envelope. The said employee shall sign an acknowledgement of receipt of each envelope and documents thereof. S/he shall also receive a signed copy of the record together with the result table set forth by the committee.

Article 100

The higher committee of the electoral district receives the results submitted by the registration committees along with the attached tables.

It shall proofread the documents and only correct the data and counting mistakes if any, and then correct the final result accordingly.

Moreover, it shall add the votes in the tables, write a final result for the electoral district on the final table- in numbers and letters with mentioning the word “only” after the total- and have the minutes and final general table signed by all of its members.

Thereupon, it shall announce, in front of the candidates or their agents, the final results obtained by each candidate.

Article 101

The Higher Committee shall deliver to the Muhafez or district commissioner Qaimqam, the final minutes and the general results table and shall draw up an exchange confirmation statement signed by the Muhafez or Qaimqam, and any member of the higher registration committee named by the head of the committee.

The results taken from the final minutes and the general table enclosed thereto shall be immediately sent to the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, which shall announce the final official results and the names of winning candidates. The Minister shall immediately notify the Speaker of the Parliament and the Head of the Constitutional Council of the results.

The ballot papers shall be confidentially kept at the Central Bank of Lebanon, in portfolios marked with the name of their source polling stations for three months after the announcement of results. Afterward, the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities shall destroy the ballot papers pursuant to a duly written report, unless they are subject to review or challenge before the Constitutional Council.