Municipal and Mayoral elections kicked off in Mount Lebanon Governorate early on Sunday, amid heightened security measures.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 (Beirut time), after ballot boxes were distributed by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities early on Saturday.
Mount Lebanon Governorate covers six districts: Metn, Keserwan, Jbeil, Chouf, Aley, and Baabda.
A total of 896,996 registered voters will choose between 9,321 candidates—8,142 men and 1,179 women— who submitted their nominations for municipal and mayoral positions across Mount Lebanon.
68 municipalities of 333 have already won uncontested in the first municipal elections since 2016.
Parliament has extended mandates of municipal councils three times: In 2022 due to parliamentary elections, in 2023 amid a presidential vacuum, and most recently in 2024 in response to the Israeli war on Lebanon.
President Aoun Inspect Electoral Process
President Joseph Aoun inspected the operations room at the Ministry of Interior in Beirut’s Hamra. He highlighted the electoral event as fundamental.
Accompanied by Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar, President Aoun stressed that the role of municipalities is essential.
“Elections are an opportunity for the citizen. The ballot box is your natural right. Vote for whom you believe serves the best interest of your city or town,” President Aoun addressed voters.
He noted that security bodies across Lebanon “have received strict instructions to support the electoral process and ensure its smooth conduct.”
Earlier on Saturday, Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar stressed that the ministry is fully ready for the electoral event on Sunday.
“The transparency and integrity of the elections are guaranteed by the law, and I am responsible for their implementation,” he said in remarks carried by the National News Agency.
Source: Lebanese media and Al-Manar English Website
