Ballot boxes for municipal and mayoral elections opened at 7 a.m. on Sunday in 40 Lebanese towns for voters to choose 39 municipal councils and a mayoral council in Bazoun, Bcharre. Municipal elections in Bkaatouta, Kesrouan and Shwaghir in Hermel were postponed at a time when 20 municipal councils and 2 mayoral councils in Abey and Barouk won by acclamation.       

Logistic, administrative and security preparations for these elections were completed under the supervision of the Interior Ministry.   

The electoral turnout in Byakout was high for both electoral lists; 500 voters out of 550 registered on the voter rolls are expected to cast their vote.       

In Aajaltoun, Kesrouwan, the turnout reached 5% and 1300 to 1400 people are expected to cast their vote. Some voters are casting full electoral lists while others are choosing names from each list due to friendship bonds.     

Elections kicked off in the south and will last till 7 p.m. Turnout is still low while elections are being organized in Tayr Harfa, Sfaray and Kfar Chalal.     

In the North, the electoral process kicked off in Akkar. Elections are organized in 12 municipalities out of 20, and victory in 8 municipalities was announced by acclamation.     

Tikrit, Akkar witnessed a strong turnout and the number of voters is expected to reach 2250. Two electoral lists are competing in Tikrit; one belongs to the Future Movement while the other counts of a number of movements, including one Christian candidate.       

In the border town of Alma Shaab, the competition is between two complete electoral lists of 12 members each; the first is the list of Alma Shaab’s development led by Assaad Zaarab and the second is entitled “giving to Alma Shaab” and led by the former municipality head Jean Ghafri.

As for the town of Abey, it is witnessing municipal elections for the first time since 1963; residents are calmly choosing between a complete list including 15 candidates, 10 Druze and 5 Christians and an incomplete list.  

In Ghzayle, Akkar, the number of voters reached around 150 out of 230 and the competition is between two lists, the “Loyalty to the Future Movement” and “Independents”.      

In Ardeh, Zgharta, two lists representing all families are competing while March 8 stands against March 14 in Rachaaine.