A Calm Sunday
This Sunday in Beirut, the scene might appear ordinary. The sun is shining, cafes are lively, joggers are out along the corniche, and fishermen line the shore. But behind this apparent calm, a significant issue is taking shape: the municipal and Mokhtar elections. While Mokhtar elections were taking place across Lebanon, Yesterday the spotlight was on the capital. Since 7 a.m., voters in Beirut have been heading to the polls to choose their municipal council members and Mokhtars.
Electoral Fatigue
Despite the importance of the elections, voter turnout remains low. Electoral fatigue is evident, and the hope for meaningful change seems stripped further away with each passing year, a sentiment echoed by many Beirutis, particularly within the Sunni community. After years of economic collapse, insecurity, pollution, and crumbling infrastructure, Beirut continues to wait for solutions that never seem to arrive.
Sleepy Start
It’s the weekend, and despite what’s at stake, turnout so far has been low. As of 12:30 p.m., only 8.5 percent of Beirut’s eligible voters had cast their ballots. By comparison, Baalbek al-Hirmil recorded 19.54 percent, and the Bekaa 19.76 percent.
City Under Watch
What’s hard to miss is the heightened security presence. Police officers are stationed on nearly every corner. Security checks are tighter, and journalists are frequently stopped and questioned about their work. The city is being closely watched, perhaps a reflection of the nervousness surrounding today’s vote.
Voices That Refuse to Stay Silent
Still, even in this subdued setting, a few voices break through. A young woman tells us about a new generation determined to reclaim what their parents lost:
“I’m voting because this is my right as a Lebanese citizen, and I think that especially us, the youth, we should vote more, you know, because our parents, they already had this chance, and I don’t think that they used it well.”
An older man reflects on the devastation of the Beirut port and the scars left by the recent war. A woman voting with her mother says it’s time to give new candidates a real chance.
Violations and Irregularities
So far, Around 400 complaints have been registered, including administrative, media-related, and security concerns. Some elderly and physically challenged voters faced difficulties reaching the ballot boxes. In certain locations, voting booths were placed in open areas, compromising voter privacy and violating the principle of secret voting. A clash also broke out in a polling center in the Bekaa town of Harbata, prompting the Lebanese army to temporarily shut it down.
Race still not finished
Till now, no official results have been posted yet, but early indications suggest that most votes are leaning toward the “Beirut Btejmaana” list, backed by some of the country’s most powerful parties.
You can check full results here when uploaded!
