Date: Feb 14, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Interior Ministry ready for parliamentary elections BEIRUT: The Interior Ministry is ready for spring’s parliamentary elections, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk announced Tuesday, affirming the importance of the elections in protecting Lebanon’s democratic system. Machnouk’s remarks came during a meeting held at the ministry with diplomats and representatives of the new electoral law. He and his technical and administrative team gave a presentation to 24 ambassadors and representatives of 22 countries, the European Union, the United Nations and the UNDP. The country’s first parliamentary elections in nine years are set for May 6. “The ministry is now ready to hold the elections. All the preparations come within a comprehensive work plan that the ministry’s technical team has put in place since the beginning,” Machnouk said. “The elections are important to safeguard the democratic system and political stability in Lebanon,” Machnouk added. The ministry’s team then provided the attendees with an overview of the electoral law, the system for expat voting and measures catering for people with special needs. Acting United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Kardel said that the presentation was encouraging. EU Ambassador to Lebanon Christina Lassen said that the EU supports the electoral reforms as they match with the recommendations made after monitoring the last elections.