In order to explain why reforms in Lebanon are needed to make the country a true democracy, we decided to compare election terms that are used in democratic countries to those in Lebanon.

The following compares election terms of USA to those of Lebanon. This comparison is by no means an endorsement of the US election system, since having 2 parties only is not the answer to real democracy. It is the transparency that sets the US system apart.

DEMOCRACIES IN CONTRAST
Election Term	American System	Lebanese System
Absentee Voting	A voting method by which people can cast their ballots without going to the polling place on Election Day. According to various state laws or constitutions, voters have a time frame by which they can obtain a ballot before the election, mark it, and then usually mail it, sealed, to the appropriate election official. Absentee ballots have sometimes influenced the outcome of local and state contests.	No absentee voting is allowed. People outside of Lebanon do not count. Many organizations tried hard to change the law, but unfortunately they could not succeed, since old guard politicians in Lebanon are scared that this could tilt the balance, since there are as many Lebanese outside as inside Lebanon.
Alien / Non-citizen	Individuals living in America who are not legal citizens of the nation or of the state in which they reside. Aliens may become naturalized citizens if they have lived in the country for a minimum of five years, are at least 18 years old, can read and write English, understand the history and government of the United States, and can comply with other legal procedures.	It is extremely difficult in Lebanon to become a naturalized citizen. Even those born in Lebanon of foreign parents do not automatically become citizens.
Apathy	Simply put, an individual's lack of interest in voting, politics, candidates, and other public issues. Truly apathetic people believe (incorrectly) that political life has little impact upon their own lives and well-being.	In Lebanon apathy is very common, since most of the time voters know in advance who is going to win. Take for example Beirut Region, where 9 out of 19 candidates have already won prior to elections. Votes therefore don't always count.
Ballot	The form (paper, voting machine, electronic punch cards, or absentee) that a voter employs to approve specific candidates and/or issues on Election Day. The ballot is marked in secret so that no one knows how the individual voted, a tradition that originated in Australia in the middle of the nineteenth century. Ballots can vary in length depending upon the type of election and the levels of government that are involved.	The voter usually has the list of candidates that he is expected to vote for. This is where corruption plays a big role... some voters are bribed to vote for certain candidates. The voter usually writes down on sheet of white paper the names of the candidates he wants to vote for and the ballot is then placed in an envelope and sealed. The number of envelopes placed in ballot boxes is supposed to be equal or less than the numbers of the registered voters for the voting location.
Bias	According to Webster's Dictionary, the word generally refers to "uninformed or unintentional inclination" that "inhibits impartial judgment," possibly leading to prejudiced views. In politics, bias can be a leaning in favor of or against something or someone. For example, a Republican voter may be "biased" toward supporting Republican candidates, or the National Rifle Association might be "biased" against any candidate who favored national licensing and registration of all handguns. Senior citizens would have a bias against supporting any candidate who favored a drastic decrease in social security payments.	In Lebanon bias is the king in election time. People stop thinking and are driven by their emotions and that is where bias starts. The leader of the so called electoral list is typically a feudal or religious clan leader or an old guard politician. These leaders create an ambiance of fear in the mind of their constituents to force them to be biased towards them. This is why in Lebanon most politicians are either kids (of old guard politicians, feudal or religious clan leaders) or widows (of dead politicians). This is because young independent candidates have absolutely no chance. The same last names repeat themselves every election. If not the old guard politician it is his son and if not the son it is the grand son and so on...
Campaign	A coordinated series of strategies and actions by a candidate and his/her staff, the objective of which is to be elected to political office by attracting the support of as many voters as possible. Keys to a successful campaign are adequate financing, effective organization, and skillful communication.	Campaigns in Lebanon are somewhat rare even though by definition they are the same. In order to attract as many voters as possible the leader of he electoral list, enlists candidates through backroom alliances that can attract voters from different religious sects. When it comes to financing the campaign, the leader of the so called electoral list, would usually include some candidates with deep pockets to finance the campaign. Rarely Lebanese individuals contribute towards any candidate unless they are part of an interest group. Communication is always based on bias, whether arising from religious, personal or political considerations. Campaigning on issues is almost a joke in Lebanon.
Candidate	The individual who is actually running for a specific political office or award.	In Lebanon, candidates are picked by the old guard politicians and not by the constituents. The constituents are the last to know who is running as a candidate to represent them. These are under the table deals that old guard politicians strike, days before election time.
Citizen	An individual, who is a naturalized or native-born resident of a state, displays allegiance to that state's political and legal authority, and who is therefore entitled to the rights and protections of its laws. In the United States, a citizen, apart from the naturalization process, may acquire citizenship by place of birth (called jus soli) or through blood relationships (jus sanguinis).	The same definition in Lebanon, except the naturalization process is again driven by corruption. The more you pay, or the more prominent the politician supporting you, the better your chances. There is no such thing as acquiring citizenship by birth, if parents are non-Lebanese.
Congressional Districts (CD)	These are political divisions within a state, the boundaries of which are drawn-up by the state legislature. One member of the national House of Representatives is elected per district. Currently, there are 435 congressional districts across the nation, hence 435 members in the House. States can add new districts or lose districts every ten years depending upon population shifts that are detected after each national census.	In Lebanon the parliament has 128 members. There are 5 regions or political divisions or "Muhafazat". Each region is divided into 2 to 4 districts, for a total of 14 districts in Lebanon, equating to roughly 9 members per district. This is a ratio of 9 to 1 if compared to America. This is why people do not consider this a proper representation. Your vote does not count if you are a minority. The 2005 elections will be based on the year 2000 election law, which the Syrians came up with to control the outcome of the elections.The latter is why many people are not happy with this law and specifically the minorities in larger electoral areas.
Conservative	Traditionally, a person who prefers stability or the status-quo versus rapid and extensive changes in all aspects of society. Today, a political conservative in America usually believes in the limited authority of government, greater power to the states instead of the federal government, lower taxes and less government spending. On social issues, most conservatives are opposed to abortion and gun control legislation, while supporting the death penalty and tougher laws against criminal behavior.	In Lebanon, political parties or ideologies mean very little in elections. People follow the old Guard politician's, wishes. Today the politician may be conservative, but tomorrow may switch to being liberal etc... or whatever suits him/her at a particular time.
Constituency	All of the voters that a legislator is supposed to represent in his/her district or state. Legislators must spend a great deal of time communicating with their individual constituents by mail, phone, e-mail, etc. in order to mend their "political fences." Helping constituents with problems often helps legislators attract support for their reelection campaigns.	In Lebanon, legislators care very little for the wishes of the constituency, since it is not the constituency that determines the outcome of the elections; it is the old guard politician that heads up the list. The loyalty of the legislator is to the old guard politician and not the constituency. This is why there is very little communication about the problems of the community.
Constituent	A citizen who lives in a legislator's area of representation (see above).	Not so in Lebanon. You can only vote in the village or town your forefathers were born in. Most people have to travel to their birth place at least twice during elections. Once (at least) to complete the formalities for vote registration and the other time to vote.
Convention	A meeting of party delegates and leaders at any of the three levels of government (federal, state, local) in order to formulate party strategy and tactics while also nominating candidates for political office. The most famous examples are the national nominating conventions held by the two major parties every four years in major American cities (in 2000, the Democrats' convention was in Los Angeles, the Republicans' convention met in Philadelphia). At those conventions, delegates officially nominate their party's ticket, i.e., the presidential and vice-presidential nominees. In addition, the party platform is written and approved, detailing where the party "stands" on the important issues of the upcoming campaign.	In Lebanon there is no such thing as a party convention. Old guard politicians determine the strategy and the candidates that they pick have to follow that strategy, which is rarely communicated to the constituency.
Debate	Face-to-face discussion between or among candidates on the issues, their qualifications, leadership abilities, and voting records. Debates can occur at all three levels of government, but the most publicized on the national level are debates involving the presidential nominees. These debates are televised, can involve questions from journalists and average citizens, and will reach millions of American voters at one time. A presidential candidate who performs poorly on these national telecasts can lose voter support.	In Lebanon, we make it simple. There are no issues to discuss and hence face –to- face discussions amongst candidates are extremely rare. Candidates don't win or lose on issues. They win or lose based on alliances between old guard politicians. The stronger the alliance, the better are the chances for success. The alliances are always based on closed door negotiations. Neither the media nor the public have any idea what was discussed during these negotiations. All they will know is what the politicians want them to know.
Delegate	A representative, usually chosen either in state caucuses or presidential primaries, who will be responsible for choosing presidential and vice presidential nominees at the national party conventions every four years. Most delegates are pledged to support a specific candidate. A majority of the delegates' votes at the convention is needed for a presidential candidate to receive the party's nomination.	The president of Lebanon is elected by the parliament. Even though the parliament has 128 members, every member belongs to a political block headed up by an old guard politician. In effect 60-70% of the parliament is controlled by 4-5 blocks. Hence, for a president to be elected all he needs is the vote of the 4 or 5 leaders of these blocks. Syria even made it easier; they threatened Hariri, vowing to destroy Lebanon if he did not vote for the change in the constitution to extend Lahoud's term by another 3 years. Usually the president in Lebanon is elected for only one term of six years.
Democracy	Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. In other words, a political system that is characterized by protected individual rights/liberties against government interference, equality under the law, free, frequent and competitive elections, majority rule, and respect for the minority.	In Lebanon Democracy means government of the old guard politicians, by the old guard politicians, for the old guard politicians. In other words, a political system that is characterized by protected politicians' rights / liberties. Equality is a rare commodity in Lebanon, because of the unwritten agreement that divides up all the positions in the government based on religious affiliation. It is not who you are, it is who you belong to.
Editorial	Expressed opinions by individuals, newspaper and radio editors, and TV journalists, among others, which are intended to persuade viewers and listeners by taking one side of a particular issue.	In Lebanon you had to be very careful about expressing your opinion during the Syrian occupation. Individuals could go to Jail, newspaper offices could be closed down and radio and TV stations could be forced off the air. The case of MTV, TV station of Gabriel Murr, is a clear example of lack of freedom of press.
Election	The process, at the local, state, and federal level, whereby eligible persons vote to determine who will hold a political office.	The same definition as America's, but the two differ in actual practice.
Election Day	The day reserved for people to vote. In general elections, it is by tradition the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Primary elections are also usually held on Tuesdays.	In Lebanon since people have to vote at forefather's place of birth, the country could shut down if elections are held in one day. This is why they schedule them on 4 consecutive Sundays. USA which is over nine hundred times bigger in area and 75 times larger in population can have elections in one day, while Lebanon needs four times the time. Here again reform is badly needed.
Eligible Voter	A voter who is allowed to cast his or her ballot on Election Day, because of compliance with registration (to prevent fraud), residency, and age (18 or older) requirements.	The same in Lebanon except the minimum age is 21. This is the reason why apathy is widespread amongst those between 18 and 21.
Franchise	The constitutional right to vote. Note that voting rights were not originally extended to all Americans in 1787. White males without property, women, and African-Americans were all denied the suffrage.	In Lebanon, there are over half million people living there that cannot vote, because they were never able to attain citizenship. Similarly, there are millions of Lebanese living abroad that cannot vote because absentee voting is not allowed.
Front-runner	In a primary or general campaign, the label given to that candidate who, according to polls and/or political pundits, is (a) in the lead over other opponents and/or (b) is the favorite to be elected.	In Lebanon there are no primaries. Voters do not therefore pick the candidates. Candidates are picked by old guard politicians in behind the scene deals. Voters are the last to know.
Incumbent	A person currently holding an elected office. Incumbents, especially those in the U.S. Congress, generally have distinct political advantages over challengers-name recognition and ample funding being but two of them.	Incumbents only have distinct political advantages. This why very few changes are expected in the new parliament. Incumbents in Lebanon stretch to sons and grandsons of old guard politicians.
Independent	A candidate/voter not belonging to or identifying with either of the two major political parties. The number of independent voters has increased substantially in recent decades, as electoral allegiance to the two major parties has waned among Americans.	Since incumbents only have distinct political advantages, very few independents have any chance for success. Those that run do so to prove a point or to acquire the prestige of the "also ran".
Issues	Problems, ideas to be talked about, questions, decided and voted upon. In some elections, one or two issues may be so important to voters that a candidate's position on those issues becomes crucial to victory or defeat. For example, the issue of a lackluster economy was vital to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential victory over incumbent President Bush.	Issues in elections are a rare commodity. Very few are elected based on issues. The main issue right now is pro or anti Syrian, but watching how alliances were formed behind the scene makes you wonder about this issue too. The Cedar revolution that called for reforms was hijacked by old politics.
Landslide	An election in which one candidate defeats the other by a very large margin. The presidential election of 1984 was an example, when incumbent President Ronald Reagan overwhelmingly defeated Democratic challenger Walter Mondale by a 59% to 41% popular vote total.	We have better than Landslide. Candidates can win without being elected as in the case of Beirut and Sidon.
Mudslinging	Negative, often personal, frequently inaccurate or exaggerated attacks directed at the political opposition by both candidates and political parties.	Mudslinging and bias are kings during elections.
New Hampshire Primary	Traditionally, the first and one of the most heavily publicized preference primaries of the presidential campaign. New Hampshire voters express their choices and thereby select delegates for both Republican and Democratic nominees. Presidential hopefuls who do well in New Hampshire frequently claim "political momentum" while losers may be forced to withdraw from the race.	There is no such thing as a primary, since candidates are not picked by voters. They are picked through alliances with List leaders. See candidates.
Nominee	The person that a political party chooses to represent it in a general election.	Political parties are very week in Lebanon. Old Guard politicians call all the shots.
Non-partisan	A term that generally refers to a candidate, cause, or election that is not directly connected to a specific political party. For example, non-partisan elections are frequently employed in choosing local and state judges.	Allegiance to a party is not important in Lebanon. Allegiance to an old guard politician is what counts. Again due to the complex sectarian laws, choosing judges is mainly based on religious considerations.
Partisan	In general terms, a strong, often emotional supporter (an individual or group) of a person or cause. In political terms, an election that is essential a contest between or among the candidates of rival parties.	Partisan politics prevails in Lebanon.
Party	An organization of like-minded individuals that wishes to recruit appealing candidates, win elections, operate the machinery of government, and influence public policy. Political parties exist at the local, state, and national levels of government.	In Lebanon all politicians form political parties for the sake of prestige and differentiation. These parties have very few followers. In actual practice the leader of the list is what people follow.
Platform	A document usually written by political party officials/members, outlining the party's "stands" on campaign issues and its most important principles, while attacking the "failures" of the opposition party. The platform is approved by delegates at the national nominating convention. Presidential candidates are not necessarily tightly bound by the individual platform statements or "planks", although they may use the platform's more appealing features to gain an electoral advantage in the campaign.	Platforms in Lebanon are manufactured for the sake of elections only. Very few promises are ever fulfilled and the voters know that most of these promises are lies, but because of the widespread bias they still vote.
Plurality	An election where one candidate may receive the greatest number of votes, but not necessarily a majority of all votes cast (more than 50%). For example, in a three-way race, candidate A might receive 40% of the vote, followed by Candidate B's 38%, and Candidate C's 22%. Candidate A's 40% is a plurality, not a majority. In other words, a majority is always a plurality, but a plurality is not always a majority.	It is the same in Lebanon. But the plurality is based on religious considerations and not political parties. The candidate that wins the maximum number of votes in that particular religious sect is the winner.
Poll	A place where votes are cast; also refers to a scientifically-sampled survey to assess public opinion or to forecast an election's outcome.	The same in Lebanon, except polling does not have the same impact as in America.
Popular Vote	The vote that is actually cast by each individual citizen in an election.	The same applies to Lebanon.
Primary	Essentially, a "nominating election." In a presidential primary, the voters express a choice among competing presidential contenders. In many states, the winner may receive all or most of the delegates that go to the national convention. In the general election, the final choice of office-holder is determined.	No Primaries in Lebanon. See New Hampshire Primary and Candidates.
Rhetoric	The ability to use language effectively. The undue use of exaggeration or display. The art of influencing others through the use of words. Obviously, the use of rhetoric is common among politicians.	Rhetoric is another king in Lebanese politics during election times. Rhetoric replaces campaign issues and platforms due to the widespread bias.
Unbiased	Without favor or blame, objective. Note that in political life, it is difficult to be totally objective, since politics involves the selection of choices that reflect personal values and ideologies.	Unbiased don't usually get involved in elections in Lebanon. This is where apathy is widespread.
Universal Suffrage	Extending voting rights to all citizens, regardless or race, religion, wealth, sex or place of national origin. Ironically, while the battle for universal suffrage has largely been won in America, voting turnout figures have been dropping in recent decades.	In Lebanon Universal Suffrage does not exist since many Lebanese living in Lebanon and millions of Lebanese living abroad cannot vote. See also Franchise.

Source: Ya Libnan, IHT, Turner Learning, Lebanon's Election Law (in Arabic)