The first phase of Lebanon’s municipal and mayoral elections began Sunday in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, marking the country’s first such vote since 2016. The elections are a significant political milestone following years of postponements due to political paralysis, economic collapse, and health crises.

The elections are set to take place in four phases throughout May, covering all governorates across the country.

Sunday’s voting covered Mount Lebanon’s six districts: Metn, Keserwan, Jbeil, Chouf, Aley, and Baabda. According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), polling stations opened at 7:00 am following the arrival of election officials and candidates.

The voting process proceeded calmly, with heavy security deployed by the Internal Security Forces and Lebanese Army to maintain order around polling centers.

Logistical preparations were completed early, and security forces began overnight deployments to ensure a smooth voting day and safeguard voters.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged citizens to participate actively, emphasizing the elections’ role in advancing local governance and development. Meanwhile, President Joseph Aoun, joined by the Ministers of Interior and Justice, visited the Ministry of Interior’s operations room to oversee the process as voting commenced.

"We will monitor the municipal and mayoral elections throughout the day. We wish the candidates success and stand at an equal distance from everyone," Aoun stated, emphasizing that elections are a "fundamental right" and that the role of security services is limited to protecting citizens and ensuring the smooth conduct of the process.

He urged voters not to let sectarian or religious affiliations influence their decisions.

Significant increase in candidates and female participation

The 2025 municipal elections in Mount Lebanon witnessed a significant uptick in candidate turnout, particularly among women. This year, 7,252 candidates are contesting seats across 333 municipal councils, an increase from 6,797 candidates across 325 councils in 2016. The competition rate has risen to 1.91 candidates per seat, up from 1.83 in the previous cycle.

Women now represent 10.8% of all candidates in Mount Lebanon, up from 7.8% in 2016. A total of 783 women are running, compared to 528 in the last election, signaling a notable increase in female political engagement and the potential for greater representation in local governance.

The total number of candidates reached 9,321, including 1,179 women, further reflecting a broader trend of rising civic and political participation across the country.

Elections mark first vote since 2016 and Israeli aggression

These municipal elections are the first to take place since the recent Israeli war on Lebanon, and also the first since the election of a new president and the formation of a new government. As such, they carry heightened political significance.

The return to democratic local governance is widely seen as a test of political resilience and a chance for emerging groups to prove their capacity to participate meaningfully in municipal affairs.

Sunday’s vote in Mount Lebanon marks a crucial step in renewing local political legitimacy, which provides both a platform for citizens to shape the governance of their communities and an opportunity for political forces to measure their support on the ground.

With increased candidate turnout, particularly among women, and robust security measures ensuring a smooth voting process, the 2025 municipal elections are closely watched as a barometer of democratic engagement and political stability in Lebanon.