The first phase of municipal elections and mokhtars in Lebanon ended on Sunday evening in the governorate of Mont-Lebanon, marked by moderate participation, some isolated incidents and a globally fluid process, according to the authorities. The stripping of the votes started shortly after the closure of the offices at 7 p.m., in the presence of the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, and the Minister of the Interior, Ahmad Hajjar.
Here are the first estimates at 10:45 p.m.:
-
The list led by Nabih Tohmé and supported by the Kataeb and the Lebanese forces won the municipal elections in Dbayeh.
-
The electoral team of Farid Haykal El Khazen claimed the victory of the “Jounieh Rising” list, which would have won the 18 seats of the Municipal Council of Jounieh. Directed by Fayçal Frem, the list is supported by the Lebanese forces, the Kataëb and three major political figures in the region: deputies Neemat Frem and Farid El Khazen, as well as the former deputy Mansour El Bone.
-
The electoral team of the “Jbeil Ahla” list supported by the deputy of the Lebanese forces Ziad Hawat announces a total victory of all its members in the municipal elections of Jbeil.
-
Total victory of the list led by Nicole Gemayel to Bikfaya – Al -Mhaydseh.
-
The “Development and Loyalty” list has won with all its candidates in the cities of Jiyeh, Joun, and Wardaniyeh.
The participation rate was 45.08 % in the Mohafazat level, out of a number of voters who reached 376.063 people announced the Minister of the Interior during a press briefing. The distribution by CAZA is as follows:
- Kesrouan: 60.94 %
- JBEIL: 57.46 %
- Chouf: 45.75 %
- Aley: 42.3 %
- Baby: 39.11%
- Metn Nord: 38.86 %
The Prime Minister praised an “democratic” electoral day par excellence, saying that the authorities had shown full preparation and that the irregularities reported during the ballot were “few”. He stressed that the municipal elections constitute an essential opportunity to request accounts from the former elected officials, to renew local teams and to revive development at the level of communities. Mr. Salam gave an appointment to citizens next week for the continuation of municipal elections through the other regions of the country.
The Ministry of the Interior praised “a national democratic holiday which brought together all the Lebanese in Mont-Lebanon”, stressing that the ballot took place in peace, without major security or security incidents. Of the 500 complaints recorded during the day, the majority were administrative, he said. A complaint for suspicion of electoral corruption has been transmitted to the competent judicial brigades.
Isolated incidents in certain localities
Despite a generally serene atmosphere, some tensions have been reported. In Ghineh, in Kesrouan, an altercation in a polling station caused a crowd movement, making a light injured. The army quickly strengthened its presence on the spot, allowing the vote to continue normally.
In Hammana, an argument broke out between the head of an electoral list and a delegate, the latter having been the victim of a physical assault. He filed a complaint at the locality gendarmerie post.
At the official school of Furn El-Chebbak, tensions arose concerning married electricities whose names still appeared in the electoral registers of their families of origin. The president of the office then verified the identity cards to confirm their eligibility.
Reinforced security system
The Lebanese army commander, General Rodolphe Haykal, went to the Mont-Lebanon operations room to inspect the exceptional security measures put in place. This visit aimed to guarantee the smooth running of the electoral process.
In a press release, the army command called on citizens to strictly comply with the directives of the forces deployed and to avoid any behavior that can disrupt public order.
Pending the official results, the eyes are now turning to the second phase of the municipal ballot provided in the other Mohafazat in the coming weeks.
Related news :