Hezbollah, Amal Lists Sweep Municipal Elections in Lebanon’s South

Lists backed by Hezbollah and the Amal movement swept the elections across the governorates of South and Nabatiyeh on Sunday.

Despite that many municipal councils and mukhtars have been elected by acclamation, high turnout was recorded on Sunday vote.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq announced that voter turnout was about 50 percent in the two governorates.

In a press conference late on Sunday he said that the turnout was 44% in Sidon city, 57.5% in Sidon’s villages, 53% in Jezzine, 42.5% in Bint Jbeil, 47% in Tyre, 43.2% in Marjeyoun, 47% in Hasbaya and 49% in Nabatiyeh.

The joint lists formed by Hezbollah and Amal, dubbed “Development and Loyalty Lists”, win municipal elections in dozens of towns across the South and Nabatiyeh governorates.

In Sidon district, the joint lists won municipal elections in at least eight towns, where as elections went uncontested in eleven other towns.

In Tyre district, Development and Loyalty Lists won municipal elections in at least 25 towns where as municipal councils were elected by acclamation in at least 15 other towns.

In Bint Jbeil, the joint lists won seats in the municipal councils of 18 towns, after 8 municipalities won uncontested.

In Nabatiyeh, Development and Loyalty Lists won municipal elections in 17 towns and three municipalities in three towns were elected by acclamation.

Meanwhile in Marjeyoun district, the joint lists of Hezbollah and Amal won elections in 6 towns, after municipalities in 7 other towns won uncontested.

In Jezzine, Development and Loyalty Lists won municipal seats of at least three towns, after local councils were elected by acclamation in at least 7 towns.