Lebanese voted Sunday in municipal elections in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley amid tight security and a low turnout in the capital that has recently seen the largest anti-government protests in years following a months-long trash crisis. Security was tight in the country as authorities took strict measures to guarantee that the vote passed without trouble. Lebanon was hit by a wave of bombings in recent years that killed scores of people and Syria’s civil war has spilled over in the past.
Sunday’s vote is the first to be held in the country since 2010. The government has postponed parliamentary elections, citing security concerns linked to the conflict in neighboring Syria. Lebanon has also been without a president since 2014, with the parliament failing to elect a leader amid political disagreements, and a paralysis among political rivals often related to their stance on the war in Syria.
Polling stations for the municipal election closed as planned at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT). There were reports of limited scuffles outside some polling stations, but nothing major derailed the voting. Results are expected as early as Monday.
There are 1.8 million voters registered for this round of voting. Three other rounds will take place over the coming weeks in other parts of the country.
Full Article: Lebanon holds local elections, 1st vote in 6 years.