Rivalry continued between the current parliamentary majority, the 14 March Alliance, and the ‘opposition’ 8 March Alliance, who have members in the cabinet. There were mutual accusations of irregularity and foreign funding, as well as sporadic cases of tension in areas where the contest was very close. But the day passed off peacefully, with activists and journalists from the opposing camps working side-by-side.
The turnout was high, up to 70% in some areas, and women’s participation was especially noticeable. Many expatriate Lebanese came back home only for the elections, some on their first visit in decades. Old people and wheel-chair-bound voters were helped to the reach the polling booths, and there were reports of ambulances being used to enable the sick to take part in the elections.
By the time you read these words, the results of the elections should be out. Everyone has been predicting a close call. For those interested in analysis, a wide range of sources will be only a few clicks of the keyboard away.
This photo-essay, with many more pictures than words, is meant to give the reader both a feel of the election process and a taste of its coverage on television. Most pictures are from Lebanese television, which this author has praised elsewhere on Iranian.com (‘ Media Diversity in Lebanon’).
Hossein Shahidi teaches journalism at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. Also see ‘Final stretch:Elections in Lebanon‘.
