Beirut: Participation in Lebanon’s election on Sunday appeared low, as parties struggled to persuade people to go to the polls despite a new voting system designed to improve representation.
But the turnout varied dramatically between districts. There were low rates in Beirut 1, where there is a Christian majority, with no more than 19 percent by the afternoon, but people voted in larger numbers in places with Sunni majorities, such as Saida (almost 50 percent) and Beirut 2 (above 33 percent).
In Baalbek-Hermel, which is predominantly Shiite, officials had to request more ballot boxes because so many voters turned up.
The varying turnout reflected the tough competition between the two main parties dominating Lebanese politics: the Future Movement of Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and Hezbollah, the Shiite militant and political organization backed by Iran.
The new complex voting system based on proportional representation also presented problems.
Candidates and parties complained of the slow voting process caused by the new method, which the voters were struggling to get used to.
This led to the formation of long queues and some even giving up and going home rather than wait several hours to cast their ballots. Others decided to postpone voting until later in the day.
Three pens with embedded cameras were seized with voters in the Bekaa — in Zahle, Buarij, and Kafar Zabad.
Brig. Gen. Elias Khoury, secretary of the Central Security Council, said 52 violations were recorded.
“These included voters recording their voting processes behind the partition — a prohibited act that cancels the voter’s ballot,” he said.
Voter turnout was slow in the morning in the main cities but in the villages and towns of the provinces, voter enthusiasm exceeded expectations.
Yahya Shams, head of the “Dignity and Development” list in Baalbek-Hermel, which was competing against the Shiite alliance’s list, said that recorded violations included using vehicles to block the roads and preventing voters from reaching voting centers.
“Hezbollah supporters also rallied around the voting centers in an attempt to intimidate voters,” he added, stressing that he had made a complaint about the violations.
In the south, anti-Hezbollah candidate Ali Al-Amin said there had been attempts to prevent his supporters from entering the voting centers.
Al-Amin was treated in hospital after he was attacked by Hezbollah supporters last month during campaigning.
The elections were held amid intense security measures taken by the army and the internal security forces. Specialist patrols watch deployed in Beirut and other areas to try to ensure bitter rivalries did not cause violence.
Cars flaunting Hezbollah and Amal Movement flags were seen carrying voters from Beirut’s southern suburbs to the city center.
Hariri waited his turn with voters at a polling station in Beirut before casting his ballot in front of throngs of photographers.
“Order is good,” he said as he left the voting center.
“I did my duty and voted like any other Lebanese citizens. As we look around us and see that Lebanon is holding democratic elections, we know that the country is in good shape.”
Some voters told Arab News how they were prompted to take part in the election by the unruly behavior of some of the party supporters.
Manal, a young woman from Beirut, said a group of Hezbollah supporters roamed the streets near her home the night before, shooting in the air.
“I did not wish to vote, but what happened prompted me and my brother to go to a voting center and elect the Future Movement’s list,” she said.
Low turnout and high stakes as battles play out across Lebanon
Low turnout and high stakes as battles play out across Lebanon
Related
Israel to partially reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing
- Reopening comes amid ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory
- Gaza’s civil defense agency says dozens killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday
RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the war-devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, following months of urging from humanitarian organizations, though access will be limited to the movement of people.
The reopening comes amid ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory, with Gaza’s civil defense agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday, while the Israeli military said it was retaliating against ceasefire violations.
The Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for both civilians and aid, but has remained closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.
Israel had previously said it would not reopen the crossing until the remains of Ran Gvili — the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza — were returned.
His remains were recovered days ago and he was laid to rest in Israel on Wednesday.
“The Rafah Crossing will open this coming Sunday (February 1st) in both directions, for limited movement of people only,” COGAT, an Israeli defense ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said on Friday.
Entry and exit “will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission,” it added.
However, key details remain unclear, including how many people will be allowed to cross and whether those seeking to return to Gaza will be permitted entry.
A source at the border told AFP that Sunday would be largely devoted to preparations and logistical arrangements.
The crossing is set to open on Sunday on a trial basis to allow the passage of wounded individuals, ahead of a regular reopening scheduled for Monday, three sources at the crossing said.
However, no agreement has yet been reached on the number of Palestinians permitted to enter or exit, the sources added, noting that Egypt plans to admit “all Palestinians whom Israel authorizes to leave” the territory.
“Every day that passes drains my life and worsens my condition,” said Mohammed Shamiya, 33, who suffers from kidney disease and requires dialysis treatment abroad.
“I’m waiting every moment for the opening of the Rafah land crossing.”
Anxious wait
Safa Al-Hawajri, who has received a scholarship to study overseas, is also eagerly awaiting the reopening on Sunday.
“I’m waiting in the hope of fulfilling my ambition, which is tied to the reopening of the crossing,” said Hawajri, 18.
“I hope to be able to travel as soon as it opens.”
Located on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, Rafah is the only crossing into and out of the territory that does not pass through Israel.
The crossing lies in an area held by Israeli forces following their withdrawal behind the so-called “Yellow Line” under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10.
Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza, while the rest remains under Hamas authority.
The ceasefire has now entered its second phase and calls for reopening the crossing following the release or return of all Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants.
Hamas had called for its full reopening in both directions after the remains of Gvili were brought back to Israel.
The reopening is expected to facilitate the entry of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), established to oversee the day-to-day governance of the territory’s 2.2 million residents.
The committee is to operate under the supervision of the so-called “Board of Peace” chaired by US President Donald Trump.
The NCAG, headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, is expected to enter the Gaza Strip once the Rafah crossing reopens.
Violence continued ahead of the crossing’s reopening.
At least 32 people, including children, were killed on Saturday in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, reported the civil defense agency, which operates as a rescue force under the Hamas authority.
Israel’s military said the strikes were retaliation for an incident on Friday in which eight Palestinian fighters exited a tunnel in the city of Rafah, which it said violated the ceasefire.
