Disenchantment with politics in Christian town as Lebanese Forces advocate boycott

It has been a slow electoral morning in Rmeich, a Christian town in the district of Bint Jbeil, South III constituency. Hezbollah and Amal flags are notably missing in Rmeich, where the majority of residents support the Lebanese Forces (LF). The party had however withdrawn from the opposition list Together Towards Change due to disagreements over some of its candidates’ support for the resistance against Israel, and has no candidates running in South III

An LF representative told MEE that the party has decided to boycott the elections in the South III because none of the lists represents their ideals.

The party set up a booth in front of the polling centre to “call on people coming to vote to boycott the elections,” according to the representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the press.

Coming out of the relatively empty polling centre, a married couple told MEE that they had driven out from Beirut at 6am.

“I had misgivings about voting, but my kids, who live abroad like everyone else, insisted that I come out to vote, saying ‘vote for anyone but not for the same faces’,” said May Haddad Choufani.

"I was planning to cast a blank vote but when I found out this might help the traditional parties, I voted for the candidates calling for change, but to be honest I don’t have faith.”

Choufani’s husband said he decided to vote because it's a democratic practice and “voting is the only non-violent road towards change”.