Live blog update| Lebanon Votes
This is an entry from: Lebanon votes for first time since economic crash

Voting in the shadow of the Beirut explosion

15 May 2022 17:11 BST

In Beirut, the grim spectre of the August 2020 Beirut port blast looms over proceedings.

“Over 200 people died in the Beirut explosion - these people cannot vote today but we have the chance to vote for them and hold the current political class, who are to blame for their death, accountable,” said Jean Colonian, 62. 

Families of victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion carry portraits of their relatives outside of a polling station in Beirut (AFP)
Families of victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion carry portraits of their relatives outside of a polling station in Beirut (AFP)

“The politicians currently holding office have been in power for over 30 years. We are suffering because of them. We almost died on 4 August because of them. We cannot eat because of them,” he added, referring to the gruelling economic crisis.

“I hope the Lebanese people voted them out today but I’m also disappointed to hear about the low number of people who voted.”

Colonian votes in the Beirut I district and said that he cast his ballot for an opposition list because there’s a “slight chance” they might be different. “They might be corrupt as well, no one knows, but we should try.”