Local Editor
Voters in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley governorates began flocking to their polling stations on Sunday to cast their ballots in the first round of the four-phase municipal elections, which take place every six years.
Several polling stations in the capital Beirut began receiving ballot boxes and the required stationary items. Tight security was also enforced at the stations.
Elections in the Bekaa governorate were set for today, 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.
Internal 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 ISF 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.
Source: Lebanese Media
