A voter at a polling station in Batroun during the municipal elections in Lebanon, on May 11, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
“It’s war!” one woman says. In the Minyeh-Dinnieh district, Lebanese Army soldiers are stationed in front of the Bakhaoun Technical High School. A crowd pushes and shoves at the entrance, ignoring police orders. Officers had briefly closed the polling station, which was reserved for women. “There are more men than women here!” says a young woman. Suddenly, a fight breaks out between men from rival electoral lists. “I’m not voting. I’ve had enough,” says another woman, turning away from the tense scene.The second Sunday of municipal elections unfolded amid a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in Batroun, Koura, and Zgharta, but in Akkar, tensions were running high. Over 500 complaints were reported, mostly from this region and Tripoli.Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar warned that “anyone found guilty of violations or...
“It’s war!” one woman says. In the Minyeh-Dinnieh district, Lebanese Army soldiers are stationed in front of the Bakhaoun Technical High School. A crowd pushes and shoves at the entrance, ignoring police orders. Officers had briefly closed the polling station, which was reserved for women. “There are more men than women here!” says a young woman. Suddenly, a fight breaks out between men from rival electoral lists. “I’m not voting. I’ve had enough,” says another woman, turning away from the tense scene.The second Sunday of municipal elections unfolded amid a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in Batroun, Koura, and Zgharta, but in Akkar, tensions were running high. Over 500 complaints were reported, mostly from this region and Tripoli.Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar warned that “anyone found guilty...