As Lebanon’s municipal and mukhtar elections continue, the Western Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel regions have already seen a wave of uncontested victories, with numerous candidates declared elected by default ahead of Sunday’s scheduled vote.
In the Western Bekaa, where 106,010 voters are registered, election authorities have finalized preparations for 344 polling stations across 31 municipalities and 36 mukhtar jurisdictions. A total of 959 candidates are competing, including 725 for municipal council seats, 174 for mukhtar positions, and 60 for mukhtar councils.
However, six municipalities—Khiara, Sultan Yacoub, Mansoura, Baaloul, Zlaya, and Qleiaa—will not see ballots cast, as their candidates have been elected unopposed. Similarly, mukhtar seats in Baaloul, Tal al-Dhanoub, Bab Mareh, Zlaya, Qleiaa, Maidoun, Loueissyé, and Mashghara Tahta were also decided by default. Mukhtar councils in Sultan Yacoub Tahta, Mansoura, Jeb Jannine, Kafraya, and Ain Zebdeh were likewise filled without contest.
In the Baalbek district, 16 of the 76 municipal councils were secured by acclamation, meaning voters in only 60 municipalities will head to the polls this weekend. Among the uncontested municipalities are Flawa, Bouday, Hor Taala, Labweh, Mazraat al-Tout, Jabbah, Talia, Zboud, Tawfiqiyeh, Halabta, Ansar, Qarha, Qalilat al-Harfoush, Jabbouleh, and Yamouneh. Out of 293 mukhtar positions in the district, 62 have already been won unopposed, including one in the al-Baraniyeh neighborhood of the town of Baalbek.
In Zahle, the municipalities of Shihabiya al-Faour, Deir al-Ghazal, and Massa were also declared winners by acclamation, alongside 23 mukhtars across the caza.
Meanwhile, in the Rashaya district, several municipalities were elected unopposed: Yanta, Mdhokha, Bakka, Ain Arab, Al-Hosh, and Kfar Meshki. Mukhtars in Salsata, Kfar Meshki, Mdoukha, Ain Harsha, Ain Arab, Rashaya al-Fawqa, Deir al-Ashayer, Baka, and al-Hosh also secured their posts uncontested.
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