Lebanon’s municipal elections kick off in Beirut, Bekaa Valley

Lebanese people in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley provinces cast their ballots on Sunday in the first round of the four-phase municipal elections.

Polling stations in the capital Beirut opened as tight security was enforced at the stations, Al-Manar reported.

This round of elections were held today in the Bekaa, along with the Beirut and Baalbek-Hermel governorates. However, Mount Lebanon elections were set for May 15, South Lebanon and Nabatieh for May 22, and north Lebanon and Akkar for May 29.

Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk announced earlier this week that more than 20,000 security and military personnel would be deployed to ensure safe and smooth voting.

Lebanon's security forces released a statement Saturday saying that all motorcycles would be prevented from roads on Election Day. Only those belonging to police and delivery services licensed by the security forces would be allowed to roam the streets.

The number of municipal seats to be contested in the first round of municipal elections in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley is 2,124, while the number of mayors’ posts is 668.

EA