UN to give USD 6 mln to Lebanon for general elections

Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Sherbel and UN Resident Representative in Lebanon Robert Watkins inked here on Friday a draft agreement for providing Lebanon with USD six million for its forthcoming parliamentary elections. Following the signing ceremony, the UN official said the document primarily aims to help Lebanese authorities conduct parliamentary elections in line with relevant international criteria. It is also meant to encourage the Lebanese government introduce administrative reforms with a view to boosting public confidence in fair and transparent polls, he added. The fund will be used in reinforcing the secrecy of voting, training officials, developing the role of the election watchdog and promoting legal authorities' part in settling electoral disputes as well as boosting women's role in the electoral process. For his part, the Lebanese minister said the UN Development Program and its international partners intend to provide the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and other election bodies with technical support not only for the coming election but for revamping the electoral process and promoting democratic governance in Lebanon. Lebanon is set to have legislative elections in the spring of next year as political parties and groups are divided over a new election law. (