Voters in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel headed to the polls Sunday as the third phase of municipal elections got underway.

The elections, originally scheduled for 2022, had been delayed three times due to protracted political gridlock and the country’s ongoing financial crisis. The last municipal vote was held in 2016, and council members have remained in office well beyond their constitutionally mandated six-year term.

Sunday’s vote is being held under Lebanon’s bloc vote system, where voters choose as many candidates as there are seats on the local council. The candidates receiving the most votes win. In case of a tie, the older candidate is declared the winner. If both are of the same age, a lottery is held.

Zahle and Baalbek Districts

In the Zahle district, 187,912 voters are registered across 25 towns. Authorities have established 283 polling stations for the municipal elections and 260 for the selection of mukhtars (local heads). Zahle city alone is electing 21 municipal council members.

In the neighboring Baalbek district, 15,730 registered voters will cast ballots at 60 polling stations spread across 16 electoral centers. Candidates are vying for control of Baalbek’s 21-member municipal council.

Seventeen municipalities in the Baalbek district and five in the Hermel district have already secured wins by acclamation. Additionally, 63 mukhtars in Baalbek and Hermel won unopposed.

Beirut Awaits Vote with Low Turnout Expected

In Beirut, a total of 511,000 people is eligible to vote. Of these, 66.5% are Muslim (with Sunnis representing 50% and Shias 15%) and 33.5% are Christian. Turnout in the capital has historically been low; in the 2016 municipal elections, just 20% of eligible voters participated, with 72,000 Muslims and 25,000 Christians casting ballots, according to Information International.

High Candidate Numbers Reflect Local Stakes

At the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate Center, 1,858 candidates are competing for 965 municipal seats across 76 municipalities. The district encompasses 104 villages, though 22 do not have municipalities. Some municipal councils represent more than one village.

The mukhtar elections in Baalbek are also drawing strong participation, with 665 candidates running for 293 mukhtar positions.

In Baalbek city specifically, 53 candidates are in the race for the 21 municipal council seats.

Western Bekaa: Contests and Acclamations

The Western Bekaa district has 959 registered candidates vying for various local positions, broken down as follows: 725 for municipal councils, 174 for mukhtars, and 60 for elective bodies. These candidates are spread across 31 municipalities and 36 towns. A total of 344 polling stations have been set up. The number of eligible voters in the district is 106,010.

Six municipalities in Western Bekaa have secured uncontested victories. Similarly, mukhtars in eight towns won unopposed.