Participation was low on Sunday in the first legislative elections organized in Lebanon since the popular uprising launched in October 2019 to demand the departure of a political class held responsible for the worst socio-economic crisis in which the country is mired.
The ballot should maintain the status quo in favor of traditional political forces, but according to preliminary results which leaked in the evening, independent candidates have made inroads in several regions, particularly in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah.
The Lebanese Interior Ministry announced a turnout of 41% after polling stations closed at 7:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. GMT), when some 3.9 million voters were called to vote to renew the 128 members of Parliament.
The vote count was still ongoing overnight, and the final results are expected on Monday.
.
