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3. Hajjar Issues Decisions on Municipal Elections in Beirut, Beqaa, Baalbeck-Hermel

Lebanon’s Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad al-Hajjar, issued a series of administrative decisions and circulars on Thursday concerning the upcoming 2025 municipal and mukhtar elections in the governorates of Beirut, Beqaa and Baalbeck-Hermel.

Hajjar announced that candidates wishing to withdraw their nominations in these regions have until midnight on Monday, May 12, 2025. If withdrawals result in the number of candidates falling below the required number of council members, new nominations will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, May 14.

After the deadline, governors and district commissioners are to publish the names of candidates who win by acclamation, provided the number of remaining candidates equals the number of seats. However, once a candidate is declared elected by acclamation, they may no longer withdraw but retain the legal right to resign from office later under applicable law.

The circular also clarified that no withdrawals will be accepted between May 15 and May 17, unless the number of candidates matches the number of positions, in which case acclamation will be declared. If the number of candidates remains insufficient, the seats will be deemed vacant and filled through elections.

Updates and Corrections to Election Logistics

Minister Hajjar also issued a series of amendments to earlier decisions on polling logistics and the number of council and mukhtar positions in various localities:

• Decisions 463 and 465 (dated April 9, 2025) were amended regarding the distribution and assignment of polling stations for municipal and mukhtar elections in the northern governorates of North Lebanon and Akkar.
• A typographical correction was issued regarding the number of municipal council members in the town of Qaraoun (West Beqaa District), reducing the number from 18 to 15.
• Decision 512 (dated April 16, 2025), concerning the number of municipal council members in the governorates of Beirut, Beqaa and Baalbeck-Hermel, was also amended:
  • Nabha Qlayla will have 5 council members.
  • Nabha Harfoush will have 4 council members.
  • Kfar Mishki’s council will now have 11 members instead of 12.
  • Mazraat Salsata will now be represented by 1 council member instead of none.

Additional Amendments to Mukhtar Positions

In a further decision amending Decision 514, which regulates the number of mukhtars and local council members across Beirut, Beqaa and Baalbeck-Hermel, the following changes were made in Baalbeck District:

• Tamnin Al-Fawqa: increased from 2 to 3 mukhtars.
• Al-Kneisseh: increased from 2 to 3 mukhtars.

These administrative moves come as part of broader preparations for Lebanon’s long-delayed local elections, which are seen as a critical democratic step in a country grappling with overlapping political, economic and security crises.