Concerns over capital's Christian seats as Beirut and Bekaa vote in municipal polls

Lebanon held the third round of municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, amid concerns over Christian representation in Beirut’s municipal council.

Sunday’s vote was being held in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel.

At noon voter turnout was 6.20% in Beirut, 14.86% in Baalbek-Hermel, 14.95% in the Bekaa, 15.89% in the Zahle district, 13.37% in Rashaya and 14.04% in West Bekaa.

Clashes were meanwhile reported at a polling station in Zahle and another in Saadnayel, prompting the intervention of security forces.

The country’s main political parties have come together to form a unified electoral list for Beirut’s municipal vote under the excuse of preserving Christian-Muslim parity in the 24-member municipal council.

The list comprises candidates nominated by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party and the Hunchak Party.

MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya have meanwhile formed a rival list that is headed by a figure close to al-Mustaqbal Movement, which has suspended its political and electoral participation until further notice.

The Beirut Madinati civil society coalition, which garnered one third of the votes in 2016, has meanwhile formed a third list.

Three other lists are also competing in Beirut, among them a leftist-leaning one supported by former minister Charbel Nahas.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed after casting his vote in the capital that the capital's residents are "capable of guaranteeing everyone's representation in the municipal council."