Voting begins in Mount Lebanon's municipal elections

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am Sunday across Mount Lebanon’s six districts, in the first round of Lebanon’s municipal elections.

The National News Agency said 9,321 candidates, including 1,179 women, are running for municipal and mayoral seats, as 68 municipalities won uncontested.

Political and partisan balances and alliances have shifted since the last municipal elections in 2016, with all eyes on the presidency of the union of Northern Metn municipalities, amid a competition between the incumbent Mirna Michel Murr, who has assumed the post since 1998, and the municipal chief of Bekfaya-Mhaydtheh, Nicole Amin Gemayel.

The most heated battle in Metn will take place in Jdeideh-Bouchrieh-Sadd, where a list backed by the Kataeb Party, the Lebanese Forces and MP Ibrahim Kanaan is vying against a list backed by the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Michel Murr and families.

In Jounieh meanwhile a list backed by the FPM and Juan Hbeish is competing against a list backed by MPs Neemat Frem and Farid al-Khazen, the LF, Kataeb and ex-MP Mansour al-Bon.

President Joseph Aoun meanwhile toured the ministries of interior and defense and Baabda's serail to inspect the taken security and administrative measures. He also inspected the state-run Tele Liban television in Beirut.