Interior Minister Ziad Baroud told LBCI television on Sunday that if the parliament agrees to lowering the voting age during its next session, the Interior Ministry could implement the amendment.

According to Baroud, his ministry is capable of adding all those between the ages of 21 and 18, 283 000 voters, to the official voting list by February 10, 2010. He also said that a change in the voting age and the municipal elections, scheduled to take place in May, are unrelated.

On proportional representation during the municipal elections, Baroud voiced support for the amendment in Beirut, saying it properly reflects the capital’s diversity. If proportional representation is rejected, there are other options, he added, although he did not elaborate further.

On Lebanese expatriates’ right to vote outside their country of residence, Baroud said he approved such a reform, saying that a relevant mechanism should be established in coordination with the Interior and Foreign Affairs Ministries. 

-NOW Lebanon