Beirut: Voting for municipal and mukhtar elections continued Sunday across North Lebanon and Akkar, with increasing turnout in several towns under tight security to ensure transparency.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, in Batroun, elections proceeded calmly with no major incidents. Turnout reached 18%, with active campaigning around polling stations. In Kfarabida, where two competing lists are contesting, turnout reached 20%. Chekka saw a heated race between rival lists backed by major parties, with a 25% turnout. In Abrine, where the race is highly competitive, turnout hit 22%.
Tannourine reported a quieter turnout of under 10%, despite a fierce contest. In mountain villages, family and political rivalries intersect, with turnout ranging from 10% to 27%, highest in Mhammartain and Kfarhayi.
In Koura, smaller villages showed higher participation, with Kfar Aaqqa seeing 18%, while turnout was lower in larger towns like Btouratij at 5%. There were minor incidents reported.
MP Fadi Karam accused rival parties of politicizing the elections rather than focusing on development.
In Tripoli, the atmosphere remained calm. Turnout remained low, under 5%, though activity picked up slightly in Bab Al-Hadeed and other areas. Candidates' agents encouraged voters to avoid ballot tampering, but many arrived with pre-marked lists, leaving results unpredictable.