Civil society supporters complain door open to cheating

In Christian east Beirut, the streets are significantly less crowded than usual. Residents who hail from Mount Lebanon and the north have had to head to their home villages to participate in the elections.

At one precinct in Ashrafieh, observers from Kollouna Watani list of independents were complaining that they were not given the necessary permits to enter the polling station. They said their absence opens the door to cheating against their candidates.

"We are sick and tired and disgusted," Diana Abu Slaiman, a volunteer with Kollouna Watani told MEE. "We are demanding change for our children."

Independents hailing from Lebanese civil society are desperate to make an impact in these elections, after Beirut Madinati's near miss in 2016's municipal elections. Read more here...