Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar has stressed commitment to holding the municipal elections on time, saying administrative preparations are underway to organize the polls in May.
“The government is determined to hold this election according to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and democracy,” Al-Hajjar told Asharq Al-Awsat.
"As for organizing elections in border villages and towns that have been destroyed (in Israeli bombardment), we are working on preparing a study on an appropriate solution."
In April of last year, the Lebanese Parliament agreed on a one-year postponement of the municipal elections due to the Israel-Hezbollah war. The parliament had previously postponed the polls twice; the first in 2022 and the second in 2023.
The last municipal elections, which are held every six years in Lebanon, were about nine years ago.
According to the Lebanese Interior Ministry, the number of municipalities in the 2016 elections (for mukhtars or heads of municipalities) stood at 1,029, distributed across eight governorates. The number of mukhtars stands at 3,018, distributed across Lebanon.
Information International estimates that there are 640 legally recognized municipalities that are currently inactive, while 125 municipalities have been dissolved. The number of municipalities in southern Lebanon is 271.
Party Mobilization
Lebanese political parties have recently mobilized in preparation for the elections. According to a source close to the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, or the so-called Shiite duo, preparations have started based on an agreement signed years ago between the two parties regarding the distribution of shares in municipalities.
Sources from the Lebanese Forces party also confirmed that they are "fully prepared to participate in the municipal elections," telling Asharq Al-Awsat that they “now have a clear vision for fighting this battle."
Preparations within the Free Patriotic Movement, however, appear slower.
