Carole Salloum, "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

Lebanon's Municipal Elections: Official Commitments vs. Voter Doubts

Voter enthusiasm in Christian regions

The municipal and mayoral elections file in Lebanon has reached a critical juncture, especially following the official call for voters to head to the polls. Yet, despite this formal step, some still believe the elections might be postponed again, a notion repeatedly denied by the Ministry of Interior.

In certain regions of Lebanon, preparations are underway, while in others, consensus-building and uncontested nominations are quietly taking shape. 

Regardless of ongoing political negotiations and alliances, many aimed at avoiding disruptive contests, one question remains: Are voters genuinely motivated to participate?

Circles suggest, via "Akhbar al-Yawm", that many citizens are indeed inclined to take part, particularly as the country seems to be entering a new phase. Still, voter enthusiasm varies by region and may not fully materialize until election day, or even just hours before polls close. The decision to hold the elections in four separate phases, geographically spread over Lebanon’s governorates, is seen as a move to keep the process smoother and more manageable. Yet, dynamics in one phase may differ significantly from another.

Mohammad Chamseddine, researcher at Information International, believes enthusiasm is currently visible only in Christian-majority areas. While others acknowledge this trend, they point out that enthusiasm is relative and largely depends on whether key political parties and influential families choose to engage. In Shiite-majority areas, participation hinges on the stance of the Amal-Hezbollah alliance, unless some candidates break ranks and run independently. The South, in particular, has its own unique political landscape.

Interestingly, there’s a growing interest from groups that previously stayed away from politics. For instance, supporters of the Future Movement, which announced its return to the political scene on February 14, are expected to take part and potentially form new alliances that reflect their renewed political engagement.

As the May 4 election date approaches, more clarity will emerge on the overall landscape, except perhaps for voter behavior, which remains unpredictable. Whether this behavior signals disinterest or a quiet boycott remains to be seen.