Interview with IAPEE Expert Assem Chaya
1. How did you first come to the subject of elections? Was it a deliberate choice, or more of a happy accident that grew into a life's work?
It was a deliberate choice. I intentionally immersed myself in this field to address the sharp shortage of electoral experts in Lebanon and the Arab region, and to understand the deep disconnect between the will of the people and those in power. At the time, reference materials were scarce, and electoral knowledge was heavily guarded by narrow party elites. Driven to break that monopoly, I became the first independent youth to submit an electoral law proposal outside party structures in 2005. I went on to design and publish Lebanon’s first comprehensive voter guide in 2017, and in 2009, empowered an 82-year-old woman to serve as an election observer — an initiative that drew widespread admiration from international missions. Following the 2022 Lebanese parliamentary elections, I conducted a comprehensive technical study exposing result manipulation affecting 18 seats across specific districts during the counting process, while highlighting the legal loopholes that allowed dominant political forces to retain seats without representing a true majority.
2. You began researching electoral systems in 2002 and have been directly observing elections since 2009. How did the transition from studying elections theoretically to observing them on the ground change your understanding of how electoral systems actually work?
Observing elections on the ground — particularly as a long-term observer — offered me a critical perspective that pure theory simply cannot provide. It revealed operational and legal loopholes that legislators and experts who lack field experience often overlook. Ground observation underscored how the drafting and design of electoral laws directly drive voter turnout and shape the ultimate legitimacy of the winners. Ultimately, moving from theory to practice exposed the tangible, structural flaws in the electoral process, providing essential insights into how electoral laws and systems must be reformed and improved in reality.
3. In 2005, you presented your own electoral law proposal to the Fouad Boutros Committee. What were its key provisions, and what changes to Lebanon’s electoral system did you propose? Which of those ideas do you still consider relevant today, and which would you reconsider?
Following an academic study of the three primary electoral proposals presented at the time — by Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Selim Hoss, and the “Qornet Shehwan” (A Christian political group) Gathering — it became evident that none were built on the principle of authentic representation for all voters. Instead, they catered strictly to numerical majorities, political minorities, or sectarian interests. In response, I drafted a proposal designed to ensure genuine representation for every voter regardless of affiliation, boost participation both in voter turnout and candidacy, and facilitate the peaceful transfer of power. My proposal relied on single-member districts utilizing a majoritarian system with an Alternative Vote mechanism. By incorporating preferential ranking — allowing voters to rank candidates from most to least preferred — it incentivized political parties to curb inflammatory, sectarian rhetoric and nominate candidates across religious lines. These dynamic pushes political entities away from sectarianism toward national platforms competing on actual political programs. Designed as a transitional framework, this system was meant to shift voters away from confessional voting and toward national policy driven choices.
4. Over your years of observation — since 2009 in the field, and since 2002 as a researcher — is there one moment or episode that has stayed with you the most?
As an academic researcher and independent international observer, one of the most defining lessons came from the 2022 Tunisian parliamentary elections, where voter turnout dropped below 14%. This marked a dramatic shift in voter sentiment over the years — moving from electing Islamists in 2011 following the revolution, to favoring liberals in 2014, and ultimately holding both accountable in 2019 by electing independents alongside a non-partisan president, which subsequently reshaped the political system back toward a presidential model. This evolution highlights a fundamental mistake made after the revolution: adopting an electoral system that failed to align with the needs of the time or respect the necessary transition from single-party rule to true pluralism.
5. Does your experience observing elections in one country help you better understand what happens in another?
Yes, but this applies primarily to the procedures and practices used in conducting elections. Each country, however, has its own specific context and particularities when it comes to the rationale behind adopting a given electoral system and the laws governing the electoral process. These choices must be understood in relation to the country’s political system —whether it is a party-based system characterized by political pluralism, a one-party system, or a sectarian based system such as Lebanon’s. It is also essential to consider the underlying objectives of the electoral law. Is the aim to ensure greater representation for the major political parties and promote governmental stability, or is it to ensure broader representation of all political forces and facilitate the formation of coalition governments? Therefore, election observation in one country can certainly provide valuable insights when observing elections in another, particularly with regard to electoral procedures and practices. However, understanding the political and legal context requires taking into account each country’s unique institutional, political, and social characteristics.
6. Why do you believe the creation of IAPEE is particularly important today, and what key challenge in international election observation is the Association designed to address?
With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, elections — much like other critical domains — have become increasingly vulnerable to the manipulation of public opinion, voter behavior, and election outcomes, as well as foreign interference. Consequently, robust election observation plays a vital role in safeguarding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
7. You've spent years teaching young people about electoral systems, including through your project with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. What do you enjoy most about watching young people start to understand this world?
From the very beginning of my career in this field, I made it a priority to educate voters not only on voting mechanisms and the importance of civic participation, but also on understanding electoral systems, the rationale behind selecting specific models, and the fundamentals of electoral law drafting. My goal has always been to heighten young people’s awareness of the power of their participation — both as voters and candidates — given its direct impact on the future of nations and their citizens. To advance this mission, I developed a scientific and technical methodology in 2015 focused on the principles of drafting and designing electoral laws, enabling voters to fully comprehend all components of the electoral process.
8. If a young person came to you and said "I want to become an election observer", where would you tell them to start?
I would advise them to start by thoroughly studying the electoral law in their home country and understanding the underlying rationale behind its adoption. From there, the next step is to join an election observation mission as a domestic observer. This role requires strict adherence to core principles — namely, maintaining absolute neutrality and objectivity, and refraining from any direct interference in the voting process. Ultimately, their rigorous oversight serves as a cornerstone in upholding the integrity and legitimacy of the winning candidates.
9. You've spent so many years looking at elections through an observer's eyes. Has that changed how you vote, or how you experience elections you take part in simply as a citizen?
Absolutely. My experience in election observation has helped me develop a more informed approach to voting and to choose the voting method that I believe is most effective in making my voice heard. At the same time, I have deliberately never worked for an electoral campaign or political machinery, in order to preserve my independence and impartiality. This has allowed me to remain among the relatively small number of international election experts whose professional record has never included working on behalf of a political candidate or party. This separation between professional observation and political campaigning has been essential to maintaining the credibility, independence, and neutrality that I consider fundamental to my work.