Turnout low in Tripoli by elections

3^min

The parliamentary by-elections in the northern city of Tripoli kicked off on Sunday morning with a weak turnout.

The polls are taking place after the Constitutional Council invalidated the election of MP Dima Jamali.

This as Interior Ministry Director-General for Political and Refugee Affairs Faten Younes told LBCI that the ministry’s central operations room tasked to follow up on the by-elections is formed of an administrative and civil room with more than 30 members to receive complaints from citizens on the hotline 1766.

Meanwhile, candidate Talal Kabbara cast his vote, voicing hopes that the turnout would increase during the next hours.

For his part, candidate Mosbah al-Ahdab cast his vote, calling on the citizens to participate in the elections.

This as candidate Dima Jamali called citizens in Tripoli to cast their votes because it is their “chance to express themselves.”

Jamali’s comments were made while visiting a polling station whereby she stressed that she "did not leave Tripoli before the elections and will not leave it after the results."

Later in the day, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati cast his vote, saying that the turnout in by-elections is usually low.

“Today, all political forces are united,” he added.

Mikati also reiterated his commitment to the alliance with the Future Movement after the by-elections.

In turn, candidate Omar al-Sayed told LBCI that he is counting on “the honest people” in Tripoli’s by-elections.

“I called on Tripoltans to elect me without paying any bribes, I only toured the city,” he added after casting his vote.

He also said that the “responsibility is huge today because Tripoli is suffering a lot,” stressing that the city needs its basic rights such as water and electricity.

As for MP Faysal Karameh, he said that he decided to boycott the by-elections to protest the decision of the Constitutional Council.

On another note, Karameh cited “the provocative rhetoric and empty promises” behind the low turnout.

This as former minister Ashraf Rifi asserted that the city of Tripoli is "not beyond the law," adding that the city is Lebanon’s second capital.

Rifi’s comments were made after casting his vote whereby he stressed that developing the city is one of the top priorities.

“Development must be above all personal interests,” he added.