45 percent participation in Lebanon municipal elections and likely Shia victory
Lebanon’s interior Ministry Reports Over 45% Turnout in Mount Lebanon Municipal Elections; Shiite Parties Compete with Joint Lists
According to the English section of the webangah news Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Al-Manar, the municipal and local council elections in Mount Lebanon Governorate were held yesterday, Sunday. Lebanon’s Interior Ministry announced today, Monday, that voter turnout exceeded 45%, a figure deemed favorable by Lebanese officials.The ministry stated that vote counting will continue until late tonight, with official results to be announced instantly upon completion.
Mount Lebanon,located in the center of the country,comprises six districts. These elections mark the first such polls in nine years for the governorate—the first region to hold them—with other governorates following suit later.
Turnout varied across Mount Lebanon’s six districts: Keserwan recorded the highest participation at 60%, driven by intense competition among politically backed lists—particularly in Jounieh, where a list endorsed by MPs farid Haykal Khazen, Neemat Frem, and former MP Mansour Bon won decisively. The lowest turnout was registered in North Metn.
Preliminary results indicate a sweeping victory for hezbollah and Amal Movement’s joint list (“Growth and Loyalty”) in key areas like Haret Hreik and Ghobeiry (Baabda District), and also towns including Joun, Al-Jiyeh, Al-Wardaniyeh (Chouf District), and Bmekin (Aley District). The same list also secured wins in villages such as ras El-Metn, Bchetfineh, Hajoula Al-Mghayreh Ain El-Ghouaybeh (Jbeil District).Conversely:
- The Lebanese Forces party claimed victory in Jbeil city.
- Lists backed by the Free Patriotic Movement won Hadath Souk El-Gharb Kahloueh Wadi Es-Sit
- Kataeb Party-backed lists triumphed Beit ed-Dine Beit Chabab but lost Qartaba where former MP Fares Saïd’s coalition (Free Patriotic Movement-Kataeb-Lebanese Forces) was defeated
These multi-phase elections hold significant weight due to their long hiatus coinciding with recent developments amid Gaza war spillover into Lebanon analysts opposing resistance axis interpreted recent events including martyrdom of Hezbollah commanders as weakening Shiite political influence dampening electoral appeal
