Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in Lebanon: Revisiting the Role of the Supervisory Commission for Elections in Mitigating Online Disinformation

Abstract

In an era marked by the rapid acceleration of information flows, disinformation has emerged as a significant threat to democratic processes worldwide. This project explores the legal and institutional readiness of Lebanon to confront this challenge, focusing specifically on the role of its Electoral Management Body (EMB) as defined in the 2017 Lebanese Electoral Law. Through a content analysis of publicly available documents, including international frameworks developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other global actors, as well as official Lebanese legal and institutional materials, this research assesses existing regulatory gaps and normative shortcomings in safeguarding information integrity during electoral cycles. By comparing Lebanon’s current legal framework with global best practices, the study identifies areas in need of reform and proposes legal and procedural amendments aimed at equipping the EMB with the tools necessary to address disinformation effectively. The findings offer some recommendations for enhancing the Lebanese electoral system’s resilience to information pollution and contribute to the broader discourse on protecting democratic institutions in the digital age.