Polls opened Sunday morning for the municipal and mokhtar elections in the Bekaa region, where the city of Zahle is expecting a tight race between three lists, one backed by the political parties including the Lebanese Forces, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Kataeb party and headed by former Mayor Asaad Zgheib, the Popular bloc list headed by Youssef Skaff and another list headed by Moussa Fattouch and backed by MP Nicolas Fattouch.
In North Bekaa, several villages and towns are witnessing an electoral race, mainly in Arsal where security plays a major part amid fears of any incident due to the town’s location near the mountainous regions where the gunmen remaining positioned.
As for Central Bekaa, the municipal race took political, partisan and familial aspects.
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Former MP Salim Aoun stressed after casting his ballot in Zahle, that the residents of Zahle are the decision makers in this process.
Head of the popular bloc list candidate Youssef Skaff denied claims that votes are being "bought" in Zahle.
Candidate Moussa Fattouch reassured that the atmosphere is very good, noting that the bribery reports are nothing more than accusations.
For his part, Kataeb MP Elie Marouni told LBCI that the voter turnout in Zahle is increasing, pointing out that vote-buying happened publicly.