Tensions flared Monday evening in Tripoli as dozens of citizens gathered outside the city’s Palace of Justice, protesting the delay in the vote count for the municipal elections and the lack of official results.
In response to the growing unrest, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar rushed to Tripoli’s Saray before heading to the Palace of Justice to meet with the electoral tallying committees in an effort to contain the situation.
Growing frustration and mistrust
Protesters denounced the slow pace of the vote-counting process, a lack of transparency, and suspicions of irregularities. The tense atmosphere prompted the Lebanese Army to deploy reinforcements around Abdel Hamid Karami Square and the Palace of Justice to prevent any potential escalation.
According to MTV, several candidates have filed complaints over suspected inconsistencies in the vote tallying, which prompted the direct intervention of the two ministers.
Voice of Lebanon reported that only six judges were overseeing the vote-counting process in Tripoli—an issue that likely contributed to the mounting delays and public frustration.
Calls for calm and reassurance
Speaking from Tripoli, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar called on residents to remain calm and patient, while emphasizing the integrity of the electoral process:
“There has been no tampering with the ballots. All envelopes have been processed exactly as received from polling stations.”
He also issued a clear warning regarding administrative misconduct:
“If any employee has made an error, they will be held accountable.”
Justice Minister Adel Nassar praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and affirmed the credibility of the electoral process, while assuring that all complaints filed will be thoroughly reviewed.
Comments