Lebanese voted yesterday in an election that is likely to tip the balance in favor of the traditional political forces that many blame for the country’s economic collapse for more than two years. The elections are the first real test for opposition groups and young people, following unprecedented popular protests in October 2019 that demanded the departure of the political class.
So far, polling stations have not registered high turnout in most districts, with the Interior Ministry announcing a turnout of 14.6 percent four hours after polling stations opened.
The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADY) documented that its delegates were threatened or beaten in several areas, most of which were in Hezbollah-influenced areas.
The association published photos and videos showing representatives of Hezbollah and the Amal movement escorting voters outside the isolation wards at some polling stations in violation of the law.
Security forces have arrested an opposition party official in Haret Hreik, south of Beirut, for insulting President Michel Aoun as he left a polling station.
