Kataeb Party lawmaker Nadim Gemayel on Sunday expressed concern over low voter turnout in Beirut’s municipal elections, describing the participation rate as “unexpected” and falling short of expectations just hours before polls were set to close.

“Although we anticipated the rate wouldn’t exceed 20 percent, the fact that it stood at just 16 percent two hours before closing time is not promising,” Gemayel told Nidaa Al-Watan. “We were hoping turnout would range between 18 and 19 percent. Hopefully, the numbers will improve in the remaining hour and a half.”

Despite the disappointing figures, Gemayel struck an optimistic tone about the campaign’s momentum, citing disciplined voting behavior and strong coordination among allied groups.

“I’m very optimistic,” he said. “The electoral machines are casting full lists without any vote-splitting, which is a positive sign for us. There is a strong level of trust between all the groups we’re working with in this election.”

Gemayel also weighed in on the broader political implications of the vote in the capital, saying the fragmentation resulting from multiple competing lists would ultimately highlight the decisive role of Christian voters in Beirut.

“The divisions caused by the number of lists will bring to light the significance of the Christian vote in the capital,” he said. “It will be the tipping point in key electoral choices.”

When asked about scattered reports of selective voting—where voters cross out certain candidates—Gemayel acknowledged the phenomenon but played down its impact.

“When there are 150 candidates running for municipal council seats, it’s natural for voters to have friends and relatives on different lists,” he said. “But overall, we are seeing a considerable amount of voting in favor of full lists.”

Still, the Kataeb MP cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions about whether the vote would ensure genuine power-sharing between Christians and Muslims, as stipulated by Lebanon’s sectarian political system.

“Let’s wait for the actual vote counts at the polling stations before making any judgments about true parity,” he said.