Lebanon began its long-overdue municipal elections on Sunday, marking the country’s first vote since the brutal conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and the formation of a new national government.
The polls opened at 7:00 am local time (04:00 GMT) in Mount Lebanon, a densely populated and politically diverse region that includes Beirut’s southern suburbs — areas that were heavily targeted during Israeli airstrikes.
This election is the first of its kind in eight years. Lebanon, which is constitutionally mandated to hold local elections every six years, last conducted municipal voting in 2016. Years of political paralysis, economic collapse, and armed conflict had led to repeated postponements.
However, with the recent formation of a new government and rising pressure to restore institutional order, the elections are finally moving forward.
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Mount Lebanon is a vital electoral district with mixed religious and political affiliations. It also encompasses Hezbollah-dominated southern Beirut neighborhoods, such as Shiyah, which bore the brunt of Israeli strikes during the recent war. “We have come to exercise our right and have our voices heard,” said Hashem Shamas, a 39-year-old Hezbollah supporter who voted in Shiyah.
According to the Ministry of Interior, 9,321 candidates, including 1,179 women, are contesting in this phase of the election. While Lebanon’s power-sharing system often encourages sectarian and party-based voting, municipal elections allow for more localized and community-driven choices.
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President Joseph Aoun, elected in January 2025, has emphasized the importance of the vote as a milestone in restoring public confidence and signaling Lebanon’s commitment to institutional recovery. “This election shows Lebanon is rebuilding its institutions and returning to the right track,” Aoun stated.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who took office in February, has echoed this sentiment, pledging reforms and efforts to attract long-awaited international aid to address the country’s five-year economic meltdown.
The new government has also vowed to enforce a state monopoly on arms — a significant declaration in a country where Hezbollah continues to wield an independent military presence.
The backdrop to this election is Lebanon’s recent and devastating war with Israel, which escalated in September 2024 into a full-scale bombing campaign and ground incursion.
The conflict left Hezbollah weakened, with significant losses among its leadership, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, and widespread destruction across its southern and eastern strongholds, including southern Beirut.
Despite a ceasefire currently in place, Israeli forces continue to strike targets inside Lebanon and maintain a military presence in five disputed areas it deems strategic.
Lebanon’s municipal elections are being held in stages throughout May:
- May 5 – Mount Lebanon (including parts of Beirut’s suburbs)
- May 11 – Northern Lebanon
- May 18 – Beirut and Bekaa Valley
- May 24 – Southern Lebanon, where the destruction has been most severe
Polls are scheduled to close at 7:00 pm each election day.
President Aoun has called on citizens to vote based on merit and community needs rather than sectarian loyalties or partisan interests. “Do not let sectarian, partisan or financial factors guide your vote,” he urged.
As Lebanon navigates its path out of crisis, these municipal elections are a critical test of whether the country’s fragile democracy can still function. They are also a signal to the international community that Lebanon is willing to reform and rebuild from the ashes of conflict — not just physically, but institutionally and politically as well.
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