2012 Koura by-elections explained

Election Name:	2012 Koura by-elections
Country:	Lebanon
Type:	by-election
Vote Type:	STV
Turnout:	47%
Candidate1:	Fadi Karam
Percentage1:	12,412 (51.80%)
Candidate2:	Walid al-Azar
Percentage2:	11,141 (46.50%)
Party1:	Lebanese Forces
Party2:	Syrian Social Nationalist Party
Alliance1:	14 March
Alliance2:	8 March

The 2012 Koura by-elections were held in Koura, Lebanon on Sunday July 15, 2012 to fill the Greek Orthodox parliamentary seat left vacant after the death of LF MP Farid Habib who died in May 2012.^[1]

Election

The following 6 candidates stood for election:^[2]

• Fadi Karam backed by Lebanese Forces and Future Movement
• Walid al-Azar backed by SSNP, Marada, Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah
• Jean Mufarrej
• Naim Ojami
• Youssef Skaff
• George Mattar

Lebanese Forces candidate Fadi Karam won the by-elections in the district of Koura with 12,412 votes while Syrian Social National Party’s Walid al-Azar received 11,141 votes.^[3]

Results

Candidate		Votes	%	Party	Alliance
	Fadi Karam		51.80	Lebanese Forces	March 14
	Walid al-Azar		46.50	SSNP	March 8
	Jean Mufarrej	311	1.296
	Naim Ojaimi	94	0.40
	Youssef Skaff	1	0.004
	George Mattar	0	0.00

Aftermath

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said that yesterday's peaceful election day is a triumph for democracy embodied by Koura's voters and politicians.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Koura's LF MP Farid Habib Dies after Battle with Illness.
2. Web site: 6 candidates competing in Koura by-election.
3. Web site: Koura by-Elections Official Results: LF’s Fadi Karam Won with 12,412 Votes.
4. Web site: Calm prevails in Koura in election aftermath.