Hezbollah supporters reportedly threaten civil society candidate

A civil society candidate in south Lebanon's Bint Jbeil was threatened by supporters of Hezbollah and its Shia ally the Amal Movement, Lebanese news website Al-Modon has reported.

Lina Hmayed, who is running on the Kollouna Watani slate, was reportedly unable to leave the precinct for several hours after casting her ballot. The list's observers were also kicked out of the polling station. 

A Hezbollah campaigner in Ghobeiri, south Beirut, told MEE that the group respects democracy and never targets or intimidates opposing candidates. 

"Everything is going smoothly," the campaigner, who identified himself as Abu Hadi, said. 

Late last month, anti-Hezbollah candidate Ali Amin was attacked by the party's supporters in his southern hometown of Shaqra.

Hezbollah has framed the incident as a heated argument, telling Lebanese media outlets that it is not responsible for the behaviour of the individuals involved. 

In Ghobeiri, a Hezbollah stronghold, the streets were almost vacant on Sunday. Most residents in the area are originally from the south or the Beqaa Valley. It appeared that most people in the area had gone to their villages to vote.

"We will elect whoever serves the people best," Zeinab Karma, a voter in Ghobeiri, told MEE. 

Meanwhile, reports are emerging that things have got a bit heated in Choueifat, just south of Beirut