The municipal mayoral elections in Mount Lebanon concluded on Sunday with what officials described as a successful turnout, exceeding 45% of registered voters. Ballot counting continued late into the night following a long and competitive election day.
Turnout rates varied among the six districts of the governorate. Keserwan topped the list with 60%, driven by fierce competition among political party-backed lists. In contrast, Metn registered the lowest turnout.
Preliminary Results: Major Wins Across the Region
Preliminary results showed sweeping victories for the “Development and Loyalty” lists in the Baabda towns of Haret Hreik and Ghobeiry; in Joun, Jiyeh, and Wardaniyeh in Chouf; and in Bmekine in Aley.
The same political group also secured wins in Ras Osta, Beshtlida, Hjoula, Mghayri, and Ain El Ghouaybeh in the Jbeil district.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces claimed victory in the city of Jbeil. Lists backed by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) won in Hadat, Souk El Gharb, Kahale, and Wadi El Sitt, while Kataeb-supported lists prevailed in Beit El Dine and Beit Chabab.
Interior Minister Praises Electoral Process
Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar held a press conference Monday morning, thanking all those who contributed to the election’s success and praising the efforts of every employee involved.
“I oversaw the results in coordination with all stakeholders. We also developed a computerized system to audit the results before publishing them on the Interior Ministry’s website,” Hajjar said.
He announced a comprehensive review of the electoral week to address logistical issues and prevent their recurrence in future phases.
“The start of the new political era and the formation of a government have had a positive impact across the country,” the minister added.
As part of the official follow-up, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the Interior Ministry’s operations room on Sunday to monitor the vote-counting process after the Interior Minister announced the end of the first round of elections, with a turnout rate of 44.59%.
Keserwan and Metn District
Villages and towns in Keserwan and Metn witnessed high voter engagement, fueled by intense family and partisan rivalries. Jounieh emerged as the main electoral battleground. In Metn, results for 17 municipalities and 37 mayors were decided by acclamation.
Baabda District
Baabda, the largest district in Mount Lebanon, saw a mix of acclamation and fierce competition. In Bourj Al-Barajneh, the municipal council was elected unopposed, while contests were limited to mayor seats.
In Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, electoral battles pitted Hezbollah- and Amal-backed lists along with the FPM against those supported by dissident MP Alain Aoun.
During a tour of polling centers in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Minister Hajjar emphasized the significance of holding democratic elections in areas previously targeted by Israeli attacks, despite existing challenges.
Jbeil, Chouf, and Aley Districts
In Jbeil, Chouf, and Aley, voter turnout was driven by sharp competition between established political alliances and influential family networks.
Over 86,000 voters in Jbeil elected 40 municipal councils and 119 mayors in a calm yet fiercely contested race, while Chouf and Aley witnessed similar tensions between partisan and familial candidates across both municipal and mayoral elections.
President Aoun to Winners: “The Real Responsibility Begins Now”
President Joseph Aoun congratulated the winners of the municipal and mukhtar elections, praising the successful completion of the first phase in Mount Lebanon, which took place in a democratic and transparent atmosphere. He commended citizens for their active participation, which reflected their commitment to municipal governance and its key role in driving local development.
Speaking from Baabda Palace, Aoun affirmed that the elections mark a step forward on Lebanon’s path to recovery despite ongoing challenges, applauding the Interior Ministry and security forces for ensuring a smooth and orderly process. He also thanked all contributors, including media outlets that covered the vote throughout the day.
Aoun emphasized that the true responsibility begins after the elections, with the focus on serving citizens and meeting their needs. He stressed that, while competitive, the elections are an opportunity to strengthen national unity and expressed hope that the next phases will carry the same momentum and integrity.
Source: Al-Manar Website
