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Lebanon's 2022 Parliamentary Election: A Look into Political Parties' Online Behavior Vis-à-vis Alternative Candidates
This report monitors and analyzes — quantitatively and qualitatively — election-related content on social media from April 1 to May 24, 2022. During this phase, 1,914 data entry points were analyzed out of 30,647 captured. These entry points represent negative content disseminated by users against alternative lists and candidates.
The report focuses on a sample of four alternative electoral lists:
- Tawahhadna lil Taghyir (United for Change) — Mount Lebanon's fourth district (Shouf-Aley)
- Maan Nahwa al Taghyir (Together towards Change) — South Lebanon's third district (Nabatiyeh-Bint Jbeil-Marjayoun-Hasbaya)
- Nahwa al Dawla (Towards the State) — Mount Lebanon (Metn)
- Shamaluna (Our North) — North Lebanon's third district (Besharri-Zghorta-Koura-Batroun)
The analysis examines how established political parties used coordinated online tactics — including smear campaigns, disinformation, and digital harassment — to undermine alternative and independent candidates during Lebanon's first parliamentary elections following the October 2019 uprising and the August 2020 Beirut port explosion.
The report provides a detailed picture of how Lebanon's entrenched political class adapted its playbook to the digital environment, using partisan social media networks to suppress challengers and protect incumbents.