Lebanon’s first general elections in nearly a decade were calm, smooth and trouble-free, barring a few minor incidents that were quickly contained by Army troops and security forces.
Sunday’s vote saw 583 candidates, including a record number of 86 women, compete for 128 seats in parliament: 64 for Muslims and 64 for Christians.
A new electoral law redrew the country into 15 electoral districts, and introduced proportional representation for the first time.
Final voter turnout throughout Lebanon reached 49.2 percent, compared with 54 percent in the 2009 elections, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk announced at a news conference shortly after midnight, and described the polls as a “democratic celebration”.
